Something new in Navotas

This is really historical. It has not happened since 1998.

Yesterday, hundreds of supporters of former Congressman and mayoralty candidate Ricky Sandoval gathered in front of the municipal hall of Navotas claiming that there was massive cheating in the counting of the votes. They accuse the teachers of Navotas of siding with incumbent mayor and re-electionist Toby Tiangco. They also blame the mayor for votes that came from dead people. They've set up tents and a stage in front of the municipal hall and they say they'll stay there holding vigil while canvassing continues inside.

Partial and unofficial tallies show Tiangco and many of his partymates are leading.

Again, Navotas has not seen this much political activity since 1998, when Efren Bautista went against long-time mayor of Navotas, Peping Del Rosario. Efren, a candidate who had lost for two consecutive elections against Peping, was seen as a modern David and Goliath battle. But there was an outpour of support for the underdog as he was a welcome break from the decade-long reign of Del Rosario. I remember my dad joining in the motorcades and watching closely at the canvassing of votes. It was a well known fact that Del Rosario was capable of manipulating the results, so the people of Navotas were extra vigilant.

This chapter of Navotas history ended in both a sad and glorious note. At the end of the whole debacle, Efren Bautista won to the jubilation of many citizens of Navotas. However, the Municipal Hall of the now 100-year old municipality was burned down. A few months after his election, the hope of Navotas died of natural causes. Navotas was in mourning.

This was where then-vice mayor Toby Tiangco came into the picture. He was and remains to be a young and dynamic leader who delivers results for Navotas despite his outspoken political affiliation with the opposition led by Erap and FPJ.

In this year's campaign, I'd say, despite Toby being the incumbent, he was the David in this "proxy war" between the opposition and the administration represented by Sandoval. The number of posters, big tarps and billbords (which are technically beyond 2x3 - the prescribed limit for these stuff), and the rallies speak volumes of the formidable machinery of the incumbent Congressman who presents as his main achievement the Navotas Cityhood Bill.

And I'm not sure about how the rest of Navotas feels, but our family is for Tiangco simply because he's been a good mayor in his 9 year reign. And the best part - I think - is that he rarely boasts of them the way Sandoval does. Months before the actual campaign, he posted on almost every post along M. Naval a billboard with his face and he project he had worked for the area - street construction, school construction etc.

The sad part is the two were once partymates in the local Partido Navoteno. For two elections, they were the most formidable ticket that Navotas has seen in the long time. But because Sandoval's three terms in congress had already ended, the politically logical move is go for the top post. Tiangco was only on his second term as an elected mayor.

But my political views aside, I don't see the logic behind the accusations of the Sandoval camp. I've seen the amount of resources the Sandoval camp poured into the campaign so it would be stupid if the same amount was not allocated for poll watching. They claim the teachers read ballots differently especially in areas they claim to be their strong areas. I understand that poll watchers for any candidate are supposed to make sure the ballots are read right.

With regards to dead people voting, our family has seen that first-hand with my lolo (a long-time suppporter of Tiangco) who had died was still in the list even if my mom had informed the COMELEC about his death in the last election. Even my tito and tita who had already immigrated and have been naturalized as American citizens were still part of the list were still in the official list of voters. But I don't think it is within Tiangco's influence to do it. This is only speculation because I have not seen the proof provided by the Sandoval camp. I'll hold on to my judgement until the PPCRV in Navotas issues an official statement.

The funny thing about the vigil they have there is that they've lighted candles on the municipal grounds and they have entertainment on the stage with dancers and variety songs.

This political demonstration is I think within the rights of those hundreds of supporters. I just hope they came there on their own accord just as it was in the 1998 elections and not just brought there with the promise of compensation. The local police has promised to allow the rally as long as they stay within the grounds and remain peaceful. So far, that has been the case.

I hope this will not end with the municipal hall burning down to ashes.