Bets want Lapu-Lapu included in poll probe

CEBU, Philippines - Allies of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte in Lapu-Lapu City are asking the Commission on Elections and the Senate to include the city’s election results in its investigation into possible electoral sabotage during the May 9, 2016 elections.

Team Kusgano led by mayoralty candidate Rolando Patalinjug and congressional candidate Celedonio “Celsi” Sitoy sent yesterday a petition with affidavits and signatures of around 30,000 voters to Comelec and the Senate.

 In a press conference yesterday, Team Kusgano founder, Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy, showed to reporters two empty black boxes supposedly for official ballots that were reportedly just left outside in Barangay Marigondon and played by children.

Patalinjug alleged “maneuvering” in favor of the administrations bets in the recent elections. He said they were surprised that they lost even in their respective barangays.

“Kuwestiyonable kaayo kay wa mi bisa’g usa ka baranggay nga nadag-an,” he said.

“Kay ug naa mi barangay nga nadag-an, unya sa overall total dili layo, siguro makaingun ta nga fair,” Patalinghug said.

He also questioned the more than 21,000 increased of Mayor Paz Radaza’s votes in the 2016 election, from the 62,044 votes of 2013 election to 83,330 in 2016.

Sitoy said that normally, even an independent candidate for councilor in a particular city or municipality would win in his own barangay.

Sitoy clarified, however, that they are not filing a protest because it would be too costly and the process takes a long time.

“Dili mi kaprotesta diri kay dako kaayo ug gasto,” he said.

 Celsi, for his part, expressed dismay on the result of the election, saying he never lost in his entire career in politics since 1971.

 “Ako modawat sa resulta apan di ko moangkon sa kapildehan,” he said.

 Celsi said that one week before election day, information reached him that there were people betting on a 15-0 win in favor of the Radazas.

 Rizalino Ompad of Barangay Talima said he also heard about the betting.

 Carlito “Tantan” Sabalones, a candidate for councilor, shared that on April 28, someone called and met him and asked for P5 million. When he voted, his name was allegedly not in the voter’s receipt and only five names of councilors appeared instead of 12.

 Sabalones said he was told by the election teller that the machine ran out of paper.

“Amo ning ipadangat karong adlawa ang maong kopya including voluminous nga forms aron makita sa Senado nga kung magpahigayon man sila ug imbestigasyon dinhi sa Lapu-Lapu, malili pud ang sa local nga candidates,” Sabalones said.

 A certain Kevin Telcio of Barangay Basak also said that while he voted for Patalinjug for mayor, the name appeared in the receipt was that of Mayor Paz Radaza. — (FREEMAN)