SAN JOSE, Antique-The canvassing of votes in Antique was stalled after former assemblyman Arturo Pacificador asked the provincial board of canvassers to suspend that for governor until the disqualification cases filed against two gubernatorial candidates are resolved.

In a two-page petition filed yesterday before the provincial board of canvassers, Pacificador, gubernatorial bet of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, asked for the suspension of canvassing of votes for governor until the Comelec resolves the cases filed against incumbent Gov. Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez (Nationalist People's Coalition) and former Rep. Jovito Plameras (Lakas-CMD/Kampi).

Pacificador said that until the disqualification cases have been resolved, the canvassing of votes for governor would be "an exercise in futility considering that in the event that the Commission will rule on their disqualification, all votes cast in their favor will be considered stray votes …"

Pacificador and Plameras have jointly filed the disqualification case against Perez for violations of the Omnibus Election Code after she allegedly handed out chouse as financial assistance to barangays in Sibalom on April 10 inn violation of the ban on public spending during the election period. Perez in turn filed the disqualification case against Plameras for violating Batasang Pambansa 52 (An Act Governing the Election of Local Government Officials) which forbids retired election local officials who have received retirement benefits to be elected to the same office from which the official has retired.

Plameras retired as Antique governor in 2001.

The provincial board of canvassers suspended its session yesterday morning to give way to candidates to prepare and submit their respective position papers on the petition yesterday.

The PBC has canvassed certificates of canvass from the towns of Sebaste and Laua-an out of the total 18 municipalities of Antique.

In the Comelec count, Perez is leading with 7,682 votes followed by Plameras with 3,987 votes and Pacificador with 2,855 votes. The count of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting reflected the same ranking.*NPB

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