Ruiz still bitter about poll loss

CEBU, Philippines - Defeated Lapu-Lapu City congressional candidate Joselito "Lito" Ruiz still maintains that his defeat to Arturo Radaza in the lone congressional race last May 10 was due to irregularities.

Radaza garnered 70,125 votes while Ruiz got only 33,100 votes.

Ruiz, a resident of Lot 1 block 3 in Deca Homes Subdivision, barangay Agus, has filed a complaint in the Commission on Elections accusing the Department of Education District supervisor, schools superintendent, principals, and all the Board of Election Inspectors of the district that served during the election for violating Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Omnibus Election Code.

In his complaint, Ruiz pointed out that BEI and his support staff employ the priority number scheme.

According to Ruiz, the supposed scheme should be "a first come, first serve basis."

Ruiz said the election returns reflected a "sham election."

He argued the discriminatory issuance of priority numbers allegedly perpetrated by members of the Board of Election Inspectors, barangay officials and tanods deprived "huge numbers" of his supporters from voting.

He said they issued the first few priority numbers to their supporters, who were all guaranteed of casting their votes and under conditions which were far more convenient than those endured by ordinary voters and non-supporters," he said, adding the act violates the Omnibus Election Code.

Ruiz claimed the teachers employed without proper notice both written and announced to the public and by proper notice to the election officer that is the chairman of the Board of Canvassers of the city.

"I am executing for the purpose of establishing the veracity of the fact and circumstances and in support of my complaint against DepEd teachers in the Division of Lapu-Lapu City," Ruiz said in his complaint.

Regional election lawyer Enerio Ocariza has subpoenaed all school division superintendents and all BEIs requiring them to submit their counter-affidavit, affidavit of witnesses and other supporting evidence within 10-days.

Last month, Ruiz asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to nullify the proclamation of Congressman Arturo Radaza, his wife Mayor Paz Radaza, and their allies who have been elected councilors.

Ruiz claimed that the results in the May 10 automated elections were marred by massive fraud, vote-buying, and disenfranchisement. (FREEMAN NEWS)