No to poll postponement - Villar

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manny Villar yesterday opposed the postponement of the May 10 elections as this could result in bigger problems, including a possible term extension of President Arroyo.

Arroyo's term of office will end on June 30, and Villar said the Filipino people "cannot allow any term extension for the President."

Arroyo's election lawyer Romulo Macalintal noted that based on serious cause like the apparent failure of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to properly function, the Commission on Elections can defer the May 10 elections, according to Section 5 of the Omnibus Election Code.

But if the elections would be deferred, Villar warned that the Philippines will most likely plunge into a political turmoil.

"Nahihirapan na po ang mga kandidato. Talagang hinihintay na lamang nila ang election. Kung i-extend naman iyan, ewan ko kung papaano tatanggapin ng local officials," he said in a phone-patched interview over DYHP-Cebu of the Radio Mindanao Network.

Meanwhile, Villar has assured the people that whatever the outcome of the country's first automated elections he will always side with them.

He issued the statement in the wake of the technical glitches plaguing the PCOS machines days before May 10 which raise fears of election failure.

"While I hope things will go well with the automated elections, we cannot help but feel anxious about the electoral exercise given the ways things are now unfolding," Villar said.