Declare failure of elections in Bacolod, Comelec urged

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Claiming massive vote buying and fake voters during the May 9 elections, incumbent Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has asked the Commission on Election (Comelec) to declare a “failure of elections” in this city.

Leonardia made the call after he sought a manual recount of ballots in all 450 clustered precincts in the city, following what he described as a “mysterious and unbelievable” outcome of elections.

Mayor-elect and former Negros Occidental third district congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez garnered 171,893 votes, defeating Leonardia who got 107,447.

Leonardia wants the Comelec to conduct a special election in Bacolod. He filed a complaint before the Comelec central office on May 20.

Marcos Vaflor, counsel for Leonardia, said that massive and rampant vote buying affected the results of the elections in all 61 barangays and 450 clustered precincts.

“Our client deemed it appropriate to file a complaint to know the truth, with a prayer that the Comelec would conduct a manual recount and declare failure of elections to pave the way for the holding of special polls,” said Jireh Alimon, another counsel for Leonardia.

Leonardia’s spokesman Chris Sorongon said it was the first time that the mayor, who has been in politics for 34 years, has filed an election protest.

Meanwhile, Benitez described Leonardia’s claims of massive vote buying as a desperate move of someone who refuses to accept the truth.

Benitez said the conduct of the 2022 elections was generally peaceful, credible and orderly, noting there were no documents and evidence showing irregularities in voting precincts.

“The people of Bacolod have spoken and it is time to move on and buckle down to work,” Benitez said.