Pampanga teachers buck claims of massive fraud

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Public school teachers here who served in the May 10 elections condemned yesterday "in strongest terms" allegations that they were involved in massive cheating in the polls.

"These are malicious allegations and we are ready to proceed to any court or tribunal to disclaim these lies," the teachers said in a statement they issued after their gathering at the San Fernando Elementary School.

Estelita Cunanan, city education assistant superintendent, said that during the canvassing at City Hall, teachers found a huge streamer with the words "Teachers, cheaters" hanging in front of the municipal building.

"The canvassing was delayed and lasted up to six days instead of the usual three days because there were so many representatives from various political parties who really wanted to scrutinize everything, but there was definitely no cheating," Cunanan said.

Third district Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, official candidate of the Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats), won in the mayoral race here against former Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo who ran as an independent candidate of the administration party.

Domingo’s son Eric lost to San Fernando Mayor Rey Aquino in the third district congressional race.

In their statement, the teachers said, "All of us, despite the hunger, the lack of sleep and the utter lack of material resources remained ‘true’ to (our) ‘oath to preserve the integrity of the last electoral process.’"

"Certain individuals and one particular losing candidate have directly attacked our personal honor," they said.

They denounced allegations that they "had a direct hand in perpetrating election anomalies, irregularities and fraud" in the city’s 510 polling precincts.

"They (losing candidates) allege that we had a direct hand in manufacturing fabricated and falsified election returns (and) statements of votes, notwithstanding the presence of their numerous poll watchers and battery of lawyers, not to mention the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and National Movement for Free Elections volunteers and watchers of other political parties," they said.

"We have truth on our side and the fact that we did our duty when our country called for help. This is our deepest consolation and no one can ever take that away from us," the teachers added.

Joe Castro, president of the North District Teachers’ Association, said the teachers who assisted in the recent elections each got an advance of P2,000 from the Department of Education as honorarium for their services.

"We have to liquidate the amount before the remaining P1,000 is released to us," he said.