Comelec transports ballots for recount

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu has transported yesterday to their Manila office all 158 contested ballots related to the election protest filed by former Cebu City mayoral candidate Tomas Osmeña against the win of Mayor Michael Rama.

With this, a recount will be expected soon, said Comelec Cebu City north district election officer, lawyer Marchel Sarno.

But as to the date when the recount will start, Sarno said it would be up to their first division office in Manila who will decide upon their receipt of the ballots.

Osmeña, former Cebu City South district representative, filed an election protest against  Rama’s victory in the recent May 13 elections.

The final tally of votes showed Rama getting 217,448 votes while Osmeña had 211,072, resulting to a margin of 6,376 votes.

Osmeña’s runningmate during the election, former Vice Mayor Joy Young, is also contesting the win of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella considering a close 184-vote lead.

Yesterday, Sarno said representatives of both Osmeña and Rama and a police officer have accompanied a Comelec representative in transporting the ballots to Manila.

Apart from the ballots, Sarno said they have also sent all necessary documents, including the certified voter’s list, computerized voter’s list and precinct computerized voter’s list.

Further, Rama said he is not bothered with the expected recount of the contested ballots.

“I am not bothered with the ballots. If there was something wrong with the ballots then the whole election was also wrong,” Rama said, adding that he is still unaware of the reason behind the election protest of Osmeña and Young since they did not do anything to alter the election results.

“The protest did not directly state that Rama was paying money, intimidated and committed fraud so I should not be worried at all,” Rama said.

Meanwhile, with only a month to go before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election, the Cebu Provincial Comelec office has noted that only barangays from the town of San Remegio and Bogo City have shelled out their share of the expenses for the polls.

This, following the Comelec resolution that directs Local Government Units, to set aside at least P10, 000 but not more than 10 percent of their general funds of the barangay reserve to augment the appropriations of the Comelec for the upcoming barangay and SK officials.

Although there is no date stated in the Comelec regulation as to the deadline of the financial election support, Comelec election officer IV Ferdinand Gujilde explained that it would be a big help if the barangays would be able to provide their share of the finances as early as possible.

“Di man nuon maka-hamper. But mas maayo if masayo nila og hatag, (It would not hamper but it would be better if they could give it earlier),” replied Gujilde when asked if the delay of the monetary support from the barangays would affect the preparations for the barangay and SK elections next month. (FREEMAN)