‘I’m no Virgilio Garcillano’ – Lanto

MANILA, Philippines – “I am no Virgilio Garcillano,” newly-appointed Comelec Commissioner Macabangkit Lanto said in a statement released on Saturday, March 9.

In a statement he issued on March 9, Saturday, Lanto asked for a chance to prove his worth as an “independent, impartial and credible poll official” in the face of criticisms because of 1) an old record showing he benefited from poll fraud and 2) his links to the administration senatorial ticket’s campaign manager Sen Franklin Drilon. 

Lanto asked people “not to prejudge me based on a questionable election protest case 20 years ago” but to instead look at his subsequent track record in government. He served various positions under the Ramos, Estrada, and Arroyo administrations. 

Lanto was unseated as representative of the 2nd district of Lanao Del Norte in 1994 after the House of Representatives Election Tribual (HRET) — the body that decides poll protests against representatives — ruled that he cheated to win the elections. He served for 2 years. 

Administration senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III himself expressed concern over the appointment of Lanto. A victim of poll fraud in the 2007 elections, Pimentel has made it his personal campaign to fight it. 

“Yes, it’s a concern and we should let Commissioner Lanto explain the circumstances of his case,” he said in a text message. 

A poll fraud victim?

Turning tables around, Lanto claimed he was the victim of poll fraud. He said it is going to be his campaign to fight poll fraud, too.

He narrated in his statement how then HRET chief Arnold Bayobay supposedly demanded money from his lawyer in exchange for a favorable report that would guarantee his victory in the poll protest. 

“I did not give in to the demand and was later told that this was my undoing,” Lanto said. He claimed that Bayobay masterminded the tampering of the ballots to show  he had more votes in the final tally.

He said the 1992 elections was his first foray into politics. “Being a young lawyer, I simply did not have the wherewithal, guns, goons, gold to perpetuate election fraud under the very noses of the powerful Dimaporo clan,” he added. Lanto was the candidate of then President Corazon Aquino.

“I am an advocate of electoral reforms because I was a victim of poll fraud 20 years ago. To follow Garcillano’s footsteps is simply absurd, illogical and unthinkable for me,” Lanto said.

Links to Drilon

The revelation that Lanto secured his appointment on account of an endorsement by Drilon did not help his reputation. 

Lanto doesn’t deny Drilon’s backing. He said in his statement that he sought the endorsement of the senator, “a long-time friend,” because Drilon knows his “long, untainted record in government.”

Lanto said he secured Drilon’s endorsment in April 2012 when then Commissioner Gus Lagman left the poll body. “At that time, Sen. Drilon did not know that he would be named campaign manager of Team PNoy,” Lanto said.

“Drilon knows that I am, never was, and will never be anybody’s patsy,” he added. – with reports from Bon S. Cabiles/Rappler.com