Lozano storms Comelec, blasts 'shaving' of Joselito’s votes

A senatorial candidate provided comic relief Saturday when he declared his withdrawal as counsel of Joselito Pepito Cayetano but his aggressive behavior forced the National Board of Canvassers (NBC) to call the police to escort him outside the canvassing hall. Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) senatorial bet Oliver Lozano stormed the canvassing hall to complain about the alleged shaving of votes for Joselito Cayetano in favor of the latter’s namesake, Alan Peter Cayetano. The crowd cracked into laughter after hearing Lozano’s claim. But the KBL candidate insisted, citing a national newspaper report from which he deduced his allegations of “dagdag-bawas" (shaving of votes). Although amused, the crowd booed the lawyer again when he said that the Manila Bulletin had reported that the votes of Joselito Cayetano already hit a million, saying that as it did, Alan Peter Cayetano’s ranking dropped from 8th place to 11th. Lozano then asked NBC Chairman Benjamin Abalos whether the Commission on Elections would affirm the authenticity of the report, obviously insinuating that all figures must have come from the national poll body’s canvass. But Abalos refused to confirm the truthfulness of the report, saying that just because a national newspaper reported on it. Abalos’ refusal to confirm the reported figures as authentic prompted Lozano to ask the NBC to note that he is withdrawing being a counsel of Pepito Cayetano. The board granted the request that Lozano’s withdrawal be noted. But everyone in the session hall were surprised when Lozano kept on talking, throwing accusations of probable fraud at the expense of his client. One of the political parties’ counsel who was near the lectern where Lozano was speaking attempted to grab the microphone from him, drawing laughter from the crowd. But Lozano continued and engaged Abalos in a debate. Abalos then declared Lozano was out of order, which the NBC noted. But there was no stopping Lozano. Abalos calmly called the police inside the session hall to escort Lozano, who kept on muttering as he walked down the center isle away from the session hall. – GMANews.TV