Drawing of lots settles tied barangay, SK elections

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan, Philippines — Drawing of lots was used here to break the tie between two winning candidates for barangay captain and another two for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman.

The tie between Domingo Ico and Armando Opguar, who got 310 votes each at Nalsian Sur, was broken yesterday morning with the drawing of two sheets of paper – one with the words punong barangay (barangay captain) written on it while another piece was blank. 

The same tie-breaking scheme was used for the SK chairman position in Barangay Tomling where both winning candidates, Andrea Ray Almazan and Welmar Palomino, got 110 votes. 

Gloria Cadiente, Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer here, told The STAR that the tie between Almazan and Palomino was settled immediately at the precinct last Monday night.

Cadiente revealed that Opguar was initially upset with the result and stormed out of the Comelec municipal office, but he returned after a few minutes to shake hands with those at the venue, including his opponent.

“All is well after the tie was settled. That’s what the law says so they have to abide by it,” Cadiente said.

Meanwhile, a barangay kagawad (councilor) of Bislig in San Andres, Catanduanes is being hunted by the police after he punched another kagawad, who was left unconscious last Monday noon during the barangay and SK elections.

Esperidion Santelices, who ran for barangay captain and lost, struck Zaldy Aquino, a tricycle driver and re-electionist kagawad, according to Senior Insp. Malou Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesman.

Initial investigation showed that, for no apparent reason, Santelices hit Aquino in the face, causing the victim to fall to the ground unconscious.

The suspect fled the scene after the incident. – With Celso Amo