MANILA, Philippines – Text messages were circulating that Malacañang was rushing Comelec commissioners to approve the resolution on the filing of an electoral sabotage case against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

And though he was reportedly sick Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes left the hospital to preside over an en banc session.

Brillantes called for an emergency meeting at 7 a.m. on Friday and the resolution was approved by a vote of 5 to 2.

Commissioners Armando Velasco and Lucenito Tagle, both Arroyo appointees, abstained from the vote.

Velasco said there wasn't enough time to make an informed decision.

“I'm not yet ready to decide on the merits kasi nakikita ko voluminous ‘yung records kaya mahirap naman na pabigla-bigla ang desisyon,”said Velasco.

Tagle only saw the Department of Justice (DOJ)-Comelec panel report earlier Friday.

He wonders why an emergency meeting was called only hours before the Supreme Court tackled the Arroyo travel issue.

“We preempted the Supreme Court, dapat hinantay muna,” said Tagle.

The Arroyo camp also believes the case was railroaded.

Former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. rushed to the Comelec and said he was surprised at the commission's haste.

“Para mong pinaglaruan ang Korte Suprema. That is my misfortune, kasama ko kasi [si Arroyo doon], kung hindi ko siya kasama baka hindi pa ito mafa-file,” said Abalos.

The Comelec denies rushing the case, insisting there was enough time to study it.

But Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento admitted that the possibility of former President Arroyo leaving the country forced their hand.

“May manifest attempt to leave the country so this was factored by the en banc. So we have to resolve right away ‘yung kaso,” said Sarmiento.

The Comelec seems to have been the remedy to the looming constitutional crisis between Malacañang and the Supreme Court.

But the commission insists this was not their intention and they are only doing their jobs to hold accountable those who cheated in the elections. -- ANC