Drilon admits ‘shortcoming’ in Lanto endorsement

MANILA, Philippines – Sen Franklin Drilon admitted his “shortcoming” in endorsing his fraternity brother Macabangkit Lanto as commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“My shortcoming was I did not ask for the record…. My assumption was that the result in the [election] canvass was not reflected in the [election] returns. My shortcoming was I did not ask for the record. It turns out, the finding was it involved fraud,” Drilon told Rappler in an interview Tuesday, March 12. 

But Lanto’s appointment embarrassed Malacañang. Rival slate United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) accused Drilon – who is Team PNoy’s campaign manager – of endorsing Lanto so he could help ensure the victory of administration bets in May.

UNA has accused Team PNoy of planning to rig the 2013 senatorial elections based on Drilon’s statement that the President wants a 12-0 sweep for the administration slate.

Drilon said he endorsed Lanto in 2012, long before he was picked as Team PNoy campaign manager. “He approached me. He’s been a longtime associate and friend. He asked that I recommend him. I was aware of this case before the HRET. I said, ‘Ano ang kaso na yun?’ He said, ‘No, I was manipulated there’,” Drilon said.

“My shortcoming was I did not ask for the record…. My assumption was that the result in the canvass was not reflected in the returns. My shortcoming was I did not ask for the record. It turns out, the finding was it involved fraud,” Drilon added.

Drilon also previously recommended Lanto to become officer-in-charge of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). President Aquino appointed Mujiv Hataman, also a former member of the House of Representatives. – Rappler.com