Comelec hearing on Panlilio case reset anew
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday heeded Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio’s request and reset anew the hearing of the case filed against him in connection with the alleged anomalies in the province's gubernatorial race in 2007.
Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, head of the Comelec’s Second Division, gave Panlilio's newly appointed lead counsel, Francisco Brillantes, 10 working days to submit all the affidavits of their intended witnesses but chided him for their alleged delaying tactics.
"This has all the earmarkings of a tactic and we do not appreciate that," Ferrer told Panlilio’s lawyers during Thursday’s hearing.
The case was filed by former provincial board member Lilia Pineda whom Panlilio defeated by a slim margin of 1,247 votes in the province’s gubernatorial race in the 2007 polls.
Pineda, who is closely associated with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, claimed Panlilio won through cheating. The priest-turned-politician has repeatedly denied the accusation.
Brillantes said they intend to present several provincial election officers as witnesses. He was appointed Panlilio’s lead counsel by the commission after lawyer Ernesto Francisco Jr., who was chosen by the governor to represent him, failed to show up for several hearings.
Pineda’s lead counsel, George Garcia, said they would decide whether or not to cross-examine the witnesses after receiving copies of their affidavits.
Brillantes denied they are delaying the proceedings on purpose, saying they are just having difficulties preparing their evidence.
He said they may ask for another extension since the 10-day period given to them was not enough to prepare their argument.
The Comelec completed the recount of the gubernatorial race last September but is yet to declare the winner.
Ferrer said they still need more time to declare who won between Panlilio and Pineda. - GMANews.TV
Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, head of the Comelec’s Second Division, gave Panlilio's newly appointed lead counsel, Francisco Brillantes, 10 working days to submit all the affidavits of their intended witnesses but chided him for their alleged delaying tactics.
"This has all the earmarkings of a tactic and we do not appreciate that," Ferrer told Panlilio’s lawyers during Thursday’s hearing.
The case was filed by former provincial board member Lilia Pineda whom Panlilio defeated by a slim margin of 1,247 votes in the province’s gubernatorial race in the 2007 polls.
Pineda, who is closely associated with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, claimed Panlilio won through cheating. The priest-turned-politician has repeatedly denied the accusation.
Brillantes said they intend to present several provincial election officers as witnesses. He was appointed Panlilio’s lead counsel by the commission after lawyer Ernesto Francisco Jr., who was chosen by the governor to represent him, failed to show up for several hearings.
Pineda’s lead counsel, George Garcia, said they would decide whether or not to cross-examine the witnesses after receiving copies of their affidavits.
Brillantes denied they are delaying the proceedings on purpose, saying they are just having difficulties preparing their evidence.
He said they may ask for another extension since the 10-day period given to them was not enough to prepare their argument.
The Comelec completed the recount of the gubernatorial race last September but is yet to declare the winner.
Ferrer said they still need more time to declare who won between Panlilio and Pineda. - GMANews.TV
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