Sunday, June 20, 2004

Today is Father's Day, yet, my father spends this day at Chinese General Hospital where his elder brother is confined. Anyway, my mother is here since yesterday morning to spend the weekend with us. We're watching together the deliberation of lawmakers and senators live on ANC Channel 21 instead of going out to spend this special day without my father around. BTW, to all family men out there, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Reasonable efforts by the opposition were made with the Joint Committee (JC) to allow them to look at (allegedly faked) Certificate of Canvass (COC) to scrutinize and compare against Statement of Votes (SOV) and Election Returns (ER) but the motion was denied (4-6) where out-voting seemed automatic. There are five opposition members against 17 pro-administration members in the 22-man Joint Committe. Please SEE Section 30 of Republic Act 7166

EXCERPTS from The original meaning of 'canvass' by Randy David

Congress seems to equate "canvass" with the mere tabulation or addition of election results. Nothing is more mistaken. No existing standard definition of "canvass" reduces the word to tabulation or counting. Historically, the word has been used only in two senses: When applied to elections, it either means to thoroughly scrutinize election results, or to campaign for votes.

In 2001, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became President without the benefit of a popular mandate. In 2004, her claim to the presidency is even more dubious; it totters on the edge of unopened election returns. Why anyone would like to be president of the country at this time under the same questionable circumstances is truly puzzling. Her allies in Congress could do her and the country an immense favor by opening contested election returns and removing all doubts that she won the presidency fair and square.

Click here for Full Details on The original meaning of 'canvass' by Randy David

Canvassing of votes is expected to finish this Sunday evening, in spite of fraud complaints. Within this week, the President of the Philippines will be proclaimed and this "bogus president" (not once, but twice, as many believes), will stay in power for the next six years. How the entire Filipino people will accept this, in spite of the widespread rumors that another presidential candidate actually wins in the recently held May 10 election.

Overview of Philippine Elections
Comelec goes slow on automation
R.A. 8436 Election Automation Law
Another election in the Dark Ages
SC voids P1.3B deal, orders Comelec probe
Macapagal used P15B in gov't funds
Session at Batasan
Namfrel Unofficial Count

Section 30 of Republic Act 7166

Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for the Election of President and Vice-President: Determination of Authenticity and Due Execution of Certificates of Canvass. - Congress shall determine the authenticity and due execution of the certificate of canvass for President and Vice-President as accomplished and transmitted to it by the local boards of canvassers, on a showing that: (1) each certificate of canvass was executed, signed and thumbmarked by the chairman and members of the board of canvassers and transmitted or caused to be transmitted to Congress by them; (2) each certificate of canvass contains the names of all of the candidates for President and Vice-President and their corresponding votes in words and in figures; and (3) there exists no discrepancy in other authentic copies of the certificate of canvass or discrepancy in the votes of any candidate in words and figures in the certificate.

When the certificate of canvass, duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province, city or district, appears to be incomplete, the Senate President shall require the board of canvassers concerned to transmit by personal delivery, the election returns from polling places that were not included in the certificate of canvass and supporting statements. Said election returns shall be submitted by personal delivery within two (2) days from receipt of notice.

When it appears that any certificate of canvass or supporting statement of votes by precinct bears erasures or alterations which may cast doubt as to the veracity of the number of votes stated therein and may affect the result of the election, upon request of the Presidential or Vice-Presidential candidate concerned or his party, Congress shall, for the sole purpose of verifying the actual number of votes cast for President and Vice-President, count the votes as they appear in the copies of the election returns submitted to it.