DILG chief Puno denies role in ‘Hello, Nico’ controversy

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Monday denied talking to Commission on Elections Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer to supposedly rig election returns of the May 10 automated polls. An alleged taped conversation between the two officials reportedly made rounds online. "No such conversation ever transpired nor did I, in any way, contemplate, much less, engage in any acts or activities to affect the integrity and accuracy of the elections," Puno said in a statement. "This crude attempt to smear the elections...is part of an attempt by irresponsible and criminal-minded people to cause instability, distrust in our institutions, and a declaration of election failure," he added. To stress he played no part in alleged election cheating, Puno said he voted for party-mates Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Eduardo Manzano for president and vice president, respectively. The administration bets are laggards in their respective races. Puno is a stalwart of administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD. As of Monday, the Commission on Elections' partial tally showed Liberal Party standard bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay as presumptive winners of the two highest posts in the land. Congress is set to open its joint session on Monday for the canvassing for the two possitions. "I believe the 2010 elections, and the Comelec official tabulations, are and were a true reflection of the people’s will. I will do everything possible under the law to ensure that the elected national and local officials are enabled to exercise the mandate they have received from our voters," Puno said. Last Sunday, a GMA Flash Report quoted Ferrer as saying he had nothing to do with the taped recordings. He likewise denied it was his voice on the recordings.

He added he was only dragged into the mess because of the rulings of the Comelec's second division, which he chairs. These controversial rulings include the unseating of Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, and Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio. The Supreme Court reinstated Mendoza, the Comelec en banc overturned the ruling on Padaca, while the poll body sustained Panlilio's ouster. In 2004, a similar taped conversation about alleged vote-rigging between a woman presumed to be President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a man presumed to be former Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano took place. When it surfaced in June 2005, it became known as the "Hello Garci" controversy. Both Mrs. Arroyo and Garcillano have denied any involvement in the supposed rigging of the 2004 polls. — RSJ, GMANews.TV