Enrile sees two-day delay in actual canvassing

The canvassing of votes for president and vice president could be delayed by at least two days as the lawmakers who will compose the National Board of Canvassers will hear first the explanation of poll officials regarding the irregularities that allegedly marred the May 10 elections. In an interview with reporters after the caucus, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the actual canvassing could start on Wednesday because they would meet first with the officials from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and technology provider Smartmatic to clarify poll fraud allegations. "We will spend the first two days to hear the explanation of the Comelec, Smartmatic and other people that we will tap about the so-called brouhaha about failing [election] machines, some suspected election returns and so forth and so on so we can clear this area and proceed with the canvass expeditiously," he said. He said they would still tackle the poll fraud issue despite the fact that it was not part of their mandate. "That will be a problem that will be taken up in the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, but we will hear them, to what extent those dayaan (cheating) affected the result of the elections," Enrile said. Rules Another cause for delay could be the discussion on the rules that will be implemented during the canvassing. The Senate on Monday afternoon adjourned its session less than an hour after it opened as the senators agreed to discuss the canvassing rules during the joint session Tuesday. Enrile said he asked the senators to study the rules proposed by the House of Representatives "so that when we meet in joint session, we will adopt the rules subject to refinements as the members of the Senate might wish to introduce." "The purpose of discussion is to see to it that we adopt transparency, credibility, fairness and accuracy in this canvass and at the same time be sure that we can accomplish our work so that the country will have a president and vice president to succeed the present presidency and vice presidency on June 30 at noon," he said. He believed that they would be able to proclaim the new president and vice president by June 4, the earliest, or June 15, the latest. Doubts In a separate interview with reporters, Senator Francis Pangilinan expressed doubt whether they would be able to adopt the rules in just one day. "I doubt it. I'd like it approved right away pero mahirap ma-aprove ng isang araw yung debate sa rules (but it’s hard to debate on the rules in just one day)," he said. He also doubts if they will be able to finish the canvassing in two weeks. During the session, the chamber named its nine-man contingent to the NBC. Senate ProTempore Jinggoy Estrada formally manifested his inhibition from the canvassing saying his father, former President Joseph Estrada, ran for President and is second ranking based on unofficial results. "So as not to have a cloud of doubt to our electorate that this Representation will exert any pressure to the nine members of Senate to the Joint Committee to the advantage of my father and to put premium to our long respected tradition of delicadeza, I respectfully inhibit from the canvass proceedings," he said. He, however, said he is ready to become an alternate member to provide quorum but will not participate in the proceedings. The Senate also adopted Joint Committee Resolution 15 convening the Congress as the National Board of Canvassers for President and Vice President. The NBC will convene in a public session on May 25, Tuesday, at 2 p.m.- KBK, GMANews.TV