Philippine arts

Palace to UNA: Give Grace Padaca a chance

Voltaire Tupaz

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Critics say the new elections commissioner is expected to favor the ruling Liberal Party in the coming elections

FULL OF GRACE. Palace urges public to give new Comelec exec Grace Padaca a chance

MANILA, Philippines – Faced with criticisms, the Palace defended yet again the controversial appointment of Grace Padaca to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Let us give Commissioner Padaca the chance to prove herself. Huwag ho nating pangunahan (Let’s not preempt what she can do),” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over dzRB.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice-President Jejomar Binay is protesting the appointment of Padaca, a member of the Liberal Party (LP), saying that the former governor is expected to favor party allies.

Padaca’s brother will also reportedly run for Isabela governor, the post she lost in the 2010 elections.

Ito ba ang tuwid na daan? O sinisimulan nang baluktutin para sa Halalan?” (Is this the straight path? Or are they starting to bend rules for the elections?)” UNA secretary-general Toby Tiangco earlier said in a statement.

But Valte vouched for Padaca’s impartiality, citing the former governor’s track record in public service.

“She’s not given any cause to think that she will not be independent. So, again, let’s give Commissioner Padaca a chance,” Valte said.

“I heard her in one interview, and she said na she’s also willing to resign from the Liberal Party kung ganiyan ho ‘yung mga binabato sa kaniya. But again, bigyan ho natin siya ng pagkakataon na gawin ‘yung kaniyang trabaho,” Valte stressed.

(I heard her in one interview, and she said that she’s also willing to resign from the Liberal Party if that’s the issue being hurled at her. But again, let’s give her a chance to do her job.)

Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III did not only defend Padaca but also paid for his appointee’s P70,000-bail for graft charges. Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who is on leave as president of LP, accompanied Padaca when she posted bail on Thursday, October 4.

UNA accused the Aquino government of showing favoritism when Padaca was not arrested despite the warrant of arrest issued against her by the Sandiganbayan last May in connection with charges of graft and malversation of public funds.

According to UNA, Padaca failed her first test of partiality even before she could discharge her functions.

Even Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr has acknowledged that Padaca could face legal issues, such as a constitutional ban against Comelec commissioners who ran in the previous elections.

Isa pang legal issue ‘yon,” Brillantes said Tuesday, October 2, after the Palace announced Padaca’s appointment as Comelec commissioner. (That is another legal issue.) “Ano ba ang immediately preceding elections? Sinasabi nila barangay,” he added, referring to the barangay elections that took place October 2010. (What’s the immediately preceding elections? They said it’s the barangay.)

Malacañang defended the appointment that same day: “The Executive Branch properly observed the constitutional provision. Commissioner Grace Padaca did not run in the immediately preceding election which was the barangay elections held last October 2010,” Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said. – Rappler.com

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