CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division failed to release the results of the recount petitions filed against Governor Eddie Panlilio by former Senior Board Member Lilia Pineda, a close ally of President Arroyo, on Thursday, keeping the province in suspense.

Earlier, the Comelec Second Division said that they would be releasing the results of the contested ballots on January 7, but until Thursday night, the poll body has not released any report or even a statement.

Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer earlier said that the results would be a “surprise” and that the “judgment day” to proclaim the “real governor” was set on the said date.

Members of the Kapanalig at Kambilan Ning Memalen Pampanga, Inc. (Kambilan), the group that filed the recall petition against Panlilio, said they were wondering what happened to the scheduled promulgation.

Meanwhile, Panlilio said he is expecting for the “worst” to happen because it was not clear why Commissioner Ferrer said that the result would be a big surprise.

“We don’t know why he (Ferrer) said that it would be a surprise. We think it would not be a surprise anymore if the decision is against us,” Panlilio said.

The camp of Panlilio waited for a representative from the Comelec last Thursday, but no one came to read the promulgation in front of the governor.

Asked if they know what would be the date of the promulgation, Panlilio said no definite date was given.

Panlilio said, however, that he would file a motion for reconsideration if the poll body decides against him.