CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines — The Central Luzon police is on alert for possible rallies in protest of the results of the elections.
Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay, regional police director, said he ordered the police force to observe maximum tolerance.
On Tuesday, protests were held in Plaza de Mayor in Balanga, Bataan; Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan and Plaza Miranda in Angeles, Pampanga.
“The PNP (Philippine National Police) respects the conduct of protest actions as we understand the sentiments of the supporters. We also hope that the protesters will respect the rules to ensure everyone’s safety especially since health protocols are still being implemented,” Baccay said.
At the same time, the PNP official acknowledged the active participation of Filipinos in paving the way for generally peaceful elections not only in the region but in the entire country.
File complaints
On allegations of cheating in Pangasinan, election supervisor Eric Oganiza said the ”only remedy” is to file an election protest.
He said 10 days is the reglementary period for filing, after which the court will no longer accept complaints.
The camp of Gov. Amado Espino III, who lost to fifth district Rep. Ramon Guico III for governor, claimed the congressman’s victory was ”unbelievable.”
However, Oganiza said computer glitches that caused delays during the elections were isolated.
In Bacolod City, Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who claims his loss to former congressman Alfredo Benitez was ”mysterious and unbelievable,” said their party Grupo Progreso is considering taking legal action.
Leonardia said their lawyers are looking into the possible rechecking of vote counting machines amid reports that fake VCMs were used.
Benitez, who was proclaimed on May 10, garnered 171,893 votes against Leonardia’s 107,447 votes. – Eva Visperas, Gilbert Bayoran