Guv says petition vs. special election "might be politically motivated"

Bacolod City, Philippines — Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said yesterday he is inclined to agree with Grace Ibuna who earlier said that the petition against the holding of a special election in the 5th District of Negros Occidental “might be politically motivated.”

Ibuna, a long-time partner of the late congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, said Saturday that the petition filed by Romulo Macalintal, a known election lawyer, to stop the special poll could be politically motivated.

Although she did not name names, Ibuna said she perceived the move “as being dictated by some people who will stand to benefit from a no-election.”

Marañon said perhaps Ibuna knows the real score because she is an “insider.”

Macalintal is the election lawyer of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Iggy’s sister, Ma. Lourdes “Marilou” Arroyo-Lesaca, earlier expressed intention to run in the special poll, but backed out of the race after allegedly falling short of residency requirements.

Macalintal, through his lawyer Antonio Carlos Bautista, filed last Thursday before the Supreme Court a petition to stop the June 2 special poll in the 5th District saying, “it is illegal because it will be held beyond the period as provided for by law.”

In a 22-page petition, Macalintal said Section 4 of Republic Act 7166, or the Synchronized National and Local Elections Law, provides that special elections to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives “shall be called and held not earlier than 60 days nor longer than 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy.”

“Since Arroyo died on Jan. 26, the earliest date such special election could be held was last March 26 – the 60th day after the occurrence of the vacancy…The latest date it could be held would be on April 25 – the 90th day after the occurrence of such vacancy, pursuant to the provision of RA 7166,” his petition reads.

Marañon added that the petition is a “legal question.”

But the governor said he is hoping that the Supreme Court acts immediately on Macalintal’s petition so that government will not spend more money if it decides to stop the election.

Provincial election supervisor Jessie Suarez said the Comelec has already spent almost half of the P21.6-million budget allocated for the special election.

Marañon said that since the Comelec had already spent some money for the special polls, he hopes that the poll will push through.  - THE FREEMAN