Sun.Star: Namfrel data show priest leading in Pampanga

Sun.Star Pampanga: A priest candidate is leading in the Pampanga gubernatorial race based on the partial and unofficial tally released Thursday by the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel). As of 5:37 p.m. Thursday, Eddie "Among Ed" Panlilio tallied 196,947 votes over rivals Pampanga Board Member Lilia Pineda's 189,922 and Governor Mark Lapid's 182,498. Panlilio also claimed that he is leading in their personal count. He told his supporters and leaders to remain vigilant during the actual official canvassing of votes in order to catch possible irregularities. On Wednesday night, Panlilio supporters held a prayer vigil in front of the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center where the actual official canvassing of votes by the Comelec was taking place. They alleged that the prayer vigil was done for a clean and honest canvassing of votes. Earlier, there was a last-ditch effort to destroy Panlilio's reputation on the actual day of voting. Copies of a supposed one-page May 12 issue of a newspaper bearing the masthead of Sun.Star Pampanga that contained malicious articles about the priest circulated in the province. Panlilio said: "This is the worst black propaganda ever. There is absolutely no truth to these allegations. To me, it is an indication that some quarters are really worried about the huge support we have been getting from the Kapampangans." Panlilio is confident he will win the race for the Capitol top post, and said he will not forget to thank the people who supported and are still supporting his candidacy. He said volunteers and supporters play a big role in their crusade for good governance in Pampanga.