Comelec, House lukewarm on special polls for Iggy’s district

BOTH the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the House of Representatives are not inclined to hold special elections for the Fifth District of Negros Occidental prov- ince to elect the replacement of Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo who died in London last week, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes on Wednesday said that he was against the holding of special elections in Arroyo’s district because the poll body is already pre- paring for the 2013 mid-term elections.

He added that conducting the special elections would entail additional expense.

The leadership of the House of Representatives was also not keen on holding such polls as Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. ex- pressed his willingness to be the officer-incharge of Arroyo’s district.

“(I’ll be the caretaker) only as last resort, although the government is already getting a list of projects from Iggy’s mayor for funding,”

Belmonte said.

He maintained that calling the special elections would take time.

Earlier reports said that Rep. Mercedes Alvarez of the Sixth District and Jeffrey Ferrer of the Fourth District of Negros Occidental expressed willingness to serve as caretaker for the Fifth District.

The House on Monday adopted a resolution acknowledging Arroyo’s “illustrious legislative career that was marked by a deep concern for and unwavering dedication to alleviate the plight of marginalized sectors of society such as teachers, seafarers, the youth and exploited children, day- care workers, rural health workers and overseas Filipino workers.”

House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez of Quezon appealed to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad to release the Priority Development Assistance Fund or “pork barrel” for Arroyo’s district so that projects would be finally implemented.