COMELEC declares GARCIA as mayor of Balanga City

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Second Division promulgated last January 23, that Jose Enrique "Joet" Garcia is the duly elected mayor of Balanga City.

The Honorable Commission declared Garcia as the duly elected Mayor of Balanga City during the May 2004 elections for having obtained, based on the results of the revision and appreciation of ballots, a total of 18,152 votes while Melanio "Boying" Banzon received only 17,721 votes for a winning margin of 431 votes. The decision thus annulled the proclamation of Banzon and ordered that the Office of the City Mayor in Balanga City be vacated and relinquished to Garcia. The 352-page resolution was certified by presiding commissioner Florentino A. Tuason, Jr.

The protest was filed by Garcia right after the May 2004 polls upon receiving numerous reports of anomalies during the elections. Garcia welcomed the decision and pledged to do his best to serve the City of Balanga. Banzon, who was supported by then Governor Ding Roman, Vice Governor Boy Roque, almost all the board members and municipal mayors of the province during the May 2004 elections said he will abide by the law and step down once the decision of the COMELEC is final and executory.

For more information please contact Joet Garcia at 027514050 or 09178041632.