LIBERAL Party Rep. JonJon Mendoza of Bulacan on Saturday expressed dismay over the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) junking the petition for recall against incumbent Bulacan Gov. Wilhemino Sy-Alvarado.
Mendoza said the Comelec decision was based on lack of material time to conduct the recall elections.
He, however, considers the decision as a victory to the 319,000 Bulakeños who signed the petition “despite the threats, harassments and delays.”
Mendoza called a media briefing in Quezon City to express his mixed feelings over the decision of the poll body.
He said the fact that the petition reached such stage against an incumbent governor is still a victory.
He clarified that the Comelec en banc did not rule on the merits of the verification process, particularly on the disputed signatures, contrary to what the camp of Alvarado is projecting to the people of Bulacan.
“We were ready to present documentary proofs on each and every disputed signature unlike Governor Alvarado, who has put to bad light sworn affidavits and the notarial law and consistently undermined the jurisdiction of the Comelec en banc, using officials who have less authority than the Comelec en banc itself,” he said.
According to Mendoza, every step of the recall process was met with dilatory tactics by Alvarado—from questioning the Comelec en banc on its decision to proceed with the recall elections, appealing said decision to the Supreme Court, to the delay in servicing the notice, to the temporary restraining order issued by the Regional Trial Court in Bulacan, replacement of provincial election supervisor by a regional election head who chose to rule knowing only the Comelec en banc can do that.
Mendoza said that nonetheless, “the fight for transparency and accountability continues for it is a commitment of every public official. It is the driving force of the recall petitioners and signatories. Public service has to improve, competent use of taxpayers money assured and the state of the province needs to regain the best years of Bulacan for we can soar as a province. That was a fulfilled promise of past governors.”
He called on Bulakeños to remain vigilant for a better Bulacan.