Acosta: Garci already eyeing win in Bukidnon 1st District

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (May 4) – Congressional candidate Ma. Lourdes “Malou” Acosta has express alarm over her closest rival former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano’s alleged pronouncement that he is already waiting for his formal declaration by the Commission on Election (Comelec) as the official winner in the province’s 1st District.

Acosta said the pronouncement only bolster suspicions that Garcillano is a manipulator of elections results.

But the young Acosta, who is running for public office for the first time under the Liberal Party vowed to give Garcillano “the battle of his life” if he resorted to dirty tactics.
Garcillano became a national figure for his alleged involvement in the “Hello Garci” scandal in 2004. He was questioned in Congress for his alleged participation in the alleged rigging of the results of the 2004 presidential elections.

“all eyes are on him. The people in the 1st District of Bukidnon are now aware of the notoriety of this man and they won’t allow him to perform his dirty tricks again” said Acosta.

Although she expressed confidence that the people’s vigilance would make it difficult for anyone to cheat. Acosta said she and her group would not put their guards down.

“Aside from the commitments coming from different election watchdogs and volunteers to monitor Garcillano’s movements, we have already put in place our own mechanisms to prevent cheating in the coming elections,” Acosta said.

Acosta said she was banking on her being a political neophyte and on her family’s record in the 1st District, to win the district’s congressional seat.

Her mother Socorro and brother Neric have both served as representatives of the 1st District. Neric is seeking the gubernatorial post while Socorro is seeking reelection as mayor of vote-rich Manolo Fortich town.

In contrast, Acosta said her opponent has even made “Hello Garci” a campaign slogan.

“He relies on the thought that voters have short memories and that public anger has already subdued,” Acosta said.
Acosta said she was optimistic because surveys have shown her leading in the surveys. (Gold Star Daily)

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Acosta sister faces off with ‘Hello Garci’

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Nelson Constantino and Ben Balce / March 30) - Bukidnon’s first district has become an interesting battleground between a virtual political neophyte and one with quite a reputation.

Ma. Lourdes “Malou” Acosta, the youngest daughter of former congresswoman and now the incumbent Manolo Fortich Mayor Socorro Acosta filed her certificate of candidacy under the Liberal Party (LP) Wednesday afternoon, shortly after her opponent, former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, was officially registered before the Provincial Comelec Office in Malaybalay City earlier in the day.

Her older brother and three-termer Rep. Nerius Acosta who is running for governor of the province would leave the seat vacant.

Relatively unknown despite the Acostas’ political stronghold in the province’s 1st District, Malou Acosta, at the University of the Philippines, was mobbed by both local and national media right after her certificate of candidacy was officially received by provincial election assistant Felicitas Adiong.

Asked for readiness, to slug it out with the man allegedly behind the controversial “Hello Garci” scandal, the young Acosta blurted out: “Ako’y handang handa na.”

Running for public office for the first time, she said she is aware of Garcillano’s reputation as the alleged architect of the so-called “Dagdag-Bawas” operations and other elections frauds in the past.

“I know what he’s capable of doing,” Acosta said, but quickly pointed out that the people’s vigilance would make it difficult for Garcillano to succeed.

Garcillano filed his candidacy as an independent, but many believe he is being backed by the Malacañang.

Garcillano launched his bid for the congressional seat of Bukidnon’s 1st District with much fanfare in Malaybaly City. In his motorcade were members of the famous Viva Hot Babes.

It was a show of force as some 50 vans and luxury vehicles lined up in a parade to the Comelec office in Malaybalay City. On the vehicles were placards with the markings: “We love Garci.”

Garcillano denied that Malacañang behind his candidacy.

“I am running on my own as an independent candidate and I am not supported by the president,” said Garcillano adding the President has not even called him since the Garci scandal broke out.
He said it was his right to run for public office and he did not need to ask the permission of anyone.

Cagayan de Oro Journal