Acosta only presidential bet not invited to inspect ballots, poll machines

Is this an ominous sign on the presidential bid of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan's Vetellano Acosta? On Wednesday, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said Acosta is the only presidential candidate who was not invited to inspect the ballots and poll machines to be used in the May 10 elections. Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said they have already sent out invitations to all the presidential and vice presidential candidates to visit the National Printing Office in Quezon City and the Smartmatic-TIM warehouse in Cabuyao Laguna, except for Acosta. "He's not invited... we sent out invitations and wala siya dun, wala si Acosta, hindi siya kasama (he's not included there, Acosta is not included)," Larrazabal told reporters in an interview. "If you're not in the list, you will not be let in," he added. Larrazabal refused to elaborate why the KBL bet was excluded from the "invitation only" inspection on March 11. "You'll find out soon," was his only reply. Larrazabal, however, said they invited KBL vice presidential bet Jose “Jay" Y. Sonza, who has earlier claimed that he has yet to meet their party's standard bearer. As of posting time, Acosta could not be reached for comment. Disqualification case Acosta, a banker, was earlier disqualified from seeking public office because he failed to prove that he could launch a nationwide campaign without the backing of a political party. But after filing a motion for reconsideration with a certificate of nomination from the KBL, his candidacy was approved by the poll body. The Liberal Party, however, has filed a disqualification case against Acosta, insisting that he is not the official KBL bet because the party failed to pass the certificate of nomination before the Dec. 1, 2009 deadline. [See: Acosta not official KBL bet, LP insists] The LP likewise said that Acosta was only running to dislodge their standard-bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III from his original position as first in the name order of candidates for president to be printed on the ballots. Not a registered voter? On Tuesday, Comelec records revealed that Acosta is not a registered voter in the area where he claims to be, making him ineligible to run for public office. Acosta's disqualification case is pending with the Comelec en banc. If he remains in the presidential race, Acosta will be up against Aquino, John Carlos “JC" Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), former president Joseph M. Ejercito Estrada (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO), Senators Richard J. Gordon (Bagumbayan), Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby" AS. Madrigal (Independent), environmentalist Nicanor Perlas (Independent), former defense chief Gilberto Jr. C. Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), JIL founder Eddie C. Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), and Manuel Jr. B. Villar (Nacionalista Party). Of all the presidential candidates, Larrazabal said that only Delos Reyes has so far confirmed his attendance. "We hope that other presidential and vice presidential candidates will accept our invitation so that they will see for themselves our preparations," he said. Earlier, members of the Joint Congressional Oversign Committee on Automated Elections were likewise invited to the NPO and Cabuyao facilities but only four congressmen showed up. - RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV