Comelec proclaims Mikey's party-list group, then retracts

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday proclaimed the party-list group of Pampanga Rep. and presidential son Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo — only to retract it later in the day.

Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP), which claims to represent security guards and tricycle drivers, was among the 28 party-list groups proclaimed after winning the May 10 automated elections.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal cited pending disqualification cases as the reason why they retracted AGP’s proclamation.

AGP’s proclamation was booed by those present at the event.

A report on GMA Network's "24 Oras" said Mikey Arroyo is currently out of the country.

A member of AGP, meanwhile, dismissed the lukewarm reception given to them by the audience during the proclamation.

"Siguro magpe-perform na lang kami para maipakita sa mga sumuporta at bumoto sa amin na karapat-dapat kami (We'll just perform well to show our supporters that we deserve to be elected)," said Charlie Chua in an interview aired over "24 Oras."

Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza had earlier sought the disqualification of Arroyo as the group’s first nominee, saying he is not a member of the sector AGP seeks to represent.

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Evidence needed in poll fraud claims--solon

MANILA, Philippines -- Statements made by a witness and a former censors chief in the media about alleged fraud in the May 10 national elections should be backed up by evidence, Makati Representative Teodoro Locsin Jr. said Friday at the resumption of the hearing by the House committee on electoral reforms and suffrage, of which the lawmaker is chairman.

The masked man, whom Locsin has called a "koala bear," claimed that votes were shaved from the total votes of administration candidates Gilbert Teodoro and former President Joseph Estrada in favor of another presidential candidate.

Manoling Morato, former censors chief, who appeared before the committee Wednesday, said seven men who introduced themselves as Commission on Elections officials approached him and offered their services to help Teodoro gain votes.

In Friday's hearing, lawyer Angeline Carrasco also narrated about the flash cards and election paraphernalia found in a dumpsite in Cagayan de Oro.

Source: Inquirer