Already completed at the Senate Electoral Tribunal is the recount of disputed votes in pilot areas in four Mindanao provinces cast in the May 14, 2007, senatorial election in connection with the electoral protest filed by Genuine Opposition candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

This is pursuant to the SET rules which provide that a protesting candidate must prove that he has solid basis for his protest by showing evidence of fraud in at least 25 percent of the election results in pilot places that are subject of his protest.

Koko has done that. In summary, Koko has subjected 664 Precincts in Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Lanao del Norte and Sulu as his pilot precinct areas.

Before the physical counting of the votes in the pilot areas, Koko was trailing his rival by 17,251. But after the physical counting of the votes in the pilot areas, Koko led his rival by 17,117 votes.The bases for the reversal of leads were proof submitted by Koko and his lawyers that showed, among other things:

1.    The massive use of fake or spurious ballots testified to, among others, by Miguel Arcadio, division chief of the Press Division of the National Printing Office and Teodoro Ferrer, then consultant of the Printing Committee of the Commission on Elections.

2.    Use of fake election returns (without watermarks, different sizes of forms, texture of paper, etc.)

3.    Mixed genuine and fake ballots in certain precincts.

4.    Ballots clearly written by one person or by the same group of cheats as shown by similar handwriting styles or strokes.

5.    Precincts without tally boards.

6.    Falsified statement of votes as in Matungao, Lanao del Norte.

7.    Dagdag-bawas in Basilan where Koko’s votes were slashed by 4,260 votes.

There were likewise empty ballots boxes and ballot boxes containing genuine and fake ballots.In effect, Koko Pimentel has already overtaken the supposed lead of his rival as proclaimed by the National Board of Canvassers then headed by the disgraced chair of the COMELEC, Benjamin Abalos.

This, aside from the incredible results of the Maguindanao votes announced by the COMELEC shortly after the start of the national canvass of the senatorial votes that Koko’s rival had received something like 195,000 votes out of a voter turnout of 212,000. Incredible, but true. # # #