Pubdate: Mon, 24 May 2004 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 THE SAGACIOUS COMELEC THE wish of the US Council of Foreign Relations Center for Preventive Action for the election count to be "credible'' and "expeditious,'' would do with the addition of "sane.'' Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos just added another complication when he announced that winners who have not undergone a drug-test would not be proclaimed. This at the same time that Comelec is set to proclaim the first six -- Mar Roxas, Bong Revilla, Nene Pimentel, Jamby Madrigal, Richard Gordon, and Miriam Defensor Santiago -- in the senatorial list. What if the last six and those 13 and below were to obtain temporary restraining orders (TROs) against the proclamation on the ground that the leading winners have yet to show proof that they passed the drug-test? After all, the Comelec is the first in history to have obtained a TRO against the proclamation of Grace Padaca of Isabela. There's nothing to prevent anyone from procuring the same restraining orders on all the winners in these elections. While it's true that GMA and her spouse did say that they took the test, still proof will still be needed, although, of course, it's easy for people in power to produce it. As Chairman Abalos is sure to argue that drug-testing for public officials, students, maids, and drivers is prescribed by law, thus concluding that winners in political contests are not exempt, it won't be far-fetched for mischievous people to ask whether the voters had been drug-tested as well. But then Comelec precinct personnel did not require voters to produce proof that they had successfully passed the drug-test. In this case, the elections will have been a failure by Comelec standards, and new one must be held. Of course, the very thought is ridiculous, but then the law is the law, for if drug-testing is required of licenses and in various employments, it logically applies in an undertaking (voting) more vital to the country's welfare than driving a car, cleaning house, managing traffic, or going to school (there being not enough schools, anyway). But that is not half as ridiculous as the Comelec decree. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin