MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist congressman Romeo Jalosjos Jr. of the first district of Zamboanga del Norte was proclaimed winner yesterday after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave him the votes garnered by a nuisance candidate.
“He was proclaimed by the provincial board of canvassers this morning,” Comelec acting spokesman Rex Laudiangco said when asked to confirm reports on Jalosjos’ proclamation.
Jalosjos garnered 69,109 votes and lost to Roberto Uy, who garnered 69,591 votes in the May 9 general elections.
The Comelec decided to “legally pass” the 5,424 votes garnered by a certain Frederico Jalosjos, who was declared as a nuisance candidate by the poll body.
The Comelec ruled that Jalosjos garnered a total vote of 74,533, which is higher than the number of votes garnered by Uy.
The poll body issued Jalosjos a certificate of finality giving him assurance of his victory.
Jalosjos expressed hope the incident would serve as an eye-opener for everyone to stop mocking the country’s electoral system.