Losing candidates' supporters protest at Batasan, question poll results

Only hours before votes in the final certificate of canvass are counted, supporters of four losing bets in the presidential race joined forces on Tuesday to question results of the first nationwide automated elections last May 10. Supporters of evangelist Eduardo Villanueva, Olongapo City Councilor John Carlo de los Reyes of Ang Kapatiran, and independent candidates Sen. Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal and Nicanor Perlas trooped to the Batasan Pambansa complex in Quezon City and staged a "Rally for Truth." A GMA Flash Report said De los Reyes and Perlas were present at the rally. The report said Madrigal's supporters said there could be an "Electronic Garci," referring to the alleged poll fraud maneuvered by former Elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano in the 2004 presidential polls. A statement from the Villanueva-led Bangon Pilipinas said that while the party is recognizing that Sen. Benigno Aquino III is on his way to victory, "there is a need to uncover the truth of what really happened." The party also called for the suspension of canvass in Congress to pave the way for a manual count of votes. "It is time to recognize that [Aquino] is the presumptive President-elect and thus, we implore him to commit the office of the Presidency to help find the truth and get to the bottom of what really happened in the May 10, 2010 elections," Bangong Pilipinas secretary general Ted Pascua said. The party said those who are expected to join the rally are former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando who is a losing vice presidential bet, former Environment secretary Lito Atienza who lost his mayoralty bid in Manila, lawyer Homobono Adaza who made claims of cheating, and other citizens' groups. Pasuca added that those behind "wrongs and injustices" in the elections should be held accountable. "We call on all righteousness believing Filipinos to help the cause of truth and justice, to come out and declare what wrongs and injustices occurred in the May 10, 2010 elections. The only way evil can triumph is for good men and women to do nothing. We cannot correct any wrong if we tolerate it," Pascua said. The joint session of Congress will resume canvassing early Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the new president and vice president would be proclaimed Wednesday afternoon. [See: It's definite: New president, VP proclaimed on Wednesday] — Sophia Dedace/RSJ/LBG, GMANews.TV