Comelec: Ormoc plebiscite successful

MANILA, Philippines — The plebiscite held in Ormoc City in Leyte yesterday to ratify the merger of 28 barangays into three and rename another was successful, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said Ormoc residents were eager to cast their votes, citing an ”overwhelming” number of voters who lined up before the voting center opened at 7 a.m.

Garcia went to the Ormoc City Central School to oversee the plebiscite.

“We are here to ensure that the people’s votes are counted, and that we are able to complete and declare whatever is the result... So far, napakaayos, napakaganda ang nangyaring plebisito,” Garcia told reporters at a press conference.

He said the poll body expects a voter turnout of more than 50 percent or even higher than the 83.4 percent during last month’s plebiscite to ratify the division of Maguindanao into Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.

”Kung sakaling hindi matuloy ang barangay elections at sabihin nating October next year gaganapin, hanggang October sila sa pwesto. If ma-reset, ganun rin, they will stay in their positions,” Garcia said when asked about the fate of incumbent barangay officials.

Comelec executive director for operations Teofisto Elnas Jr. said the 29 barangays have a total of 10,209 registered voters.

At least 105 public school teachers manned the 35 clustered precincts.

If the merger of the 28 barangays into three is ratified, Elnas said the number of barangays in Ormoc  would be reduced to 85.

The city is currently composed of 110 barangays.