PDP-Laban hits delay in Makati canvassing

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) led by mayoral candidate Jejomar Binay is concerned over the "delaying tactics" employed by the Lakas-NUCD in the ongoing canvassing of votes in Makati.

In a statement, the party denounced the protests lodged by the lawyers of the Lakas-NUCD camp of mayoral candidate Edu Manzano and his running mate Robert Dean Barbers since the start of the canvassing last Tuesday night.

Barbers claimed that several anomalies were uncovered during the canvassing at the Barangay Valenzuela sports complex particularly with the tally sheets. He pointed out that the tally sheets held by the Makati Commission on Elections (Comelec) bore different signatures from the ones they held.

The votes tallied by the poll watchers of the Lakas-NUCD party in its quick count also showed huge discrepancies with the initial canvassed votes of the Makati Comelec.

Barbers claimed the Lakas-NUCD bets were leading in their quick count in contrast to the report of the PDP-Laban which showed a clean sweep by its candidates in both districts of the city.

He also noted that several of their watchers were either barred from entering voting precincts during the elections or were abducted by alleged supporters of Binay.

PDP-Laban in response, accused Barbers and his lawyers of creating unnecessary tension in the ongoing canvass of votes.

"The irresponsible actions of Lakas are creating unnecessary tension in Makati especially when you consider that the May 14 election has been on the whole, honest, peaceful and orderly," the statement said.

Binay expressed concern that some amount of cheating could result with the delays being encountered by the Makati Comelec.

He noted that after the last election, the results came out within 24 hours and Dra. Binay was proclaimed the winner.

"We hate to think that all these delaying tactics are meant to buy time for these special operators. But we urge the people of Makati to remain calm but vigilant and to be ready to foil these attempts," Binay said.

The venue for the canvassing was originally the session hall of the City Council in the City Hall. However, concerns were raised by the Lakas-NUCD about the possibility of cheating that could occur in favor of the ruling party because of the venue.

In response, the Comelec agreed to hold the canvassing at the Valenzuela sports complex which was also used as a voting precinct of the barangay.

Canvassing started late Tuesday because of a number problems cited by the Comelec such as the lack of electric fans and the conversion from a precinct.

The PDP-Laban camp also expressed its concern over the venue because of the circumstances involved, such as the fact that the barangay is a stronghold of Barbers.