Councilor questions coin toss to pick SKF head

CEBU, Philippines – For alleged "illegality" in the conduct of last Friday's Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) election, Talisay City opposition Councilor Val Ylanan is set to file a complaint against a Department of the Interior and Local Government official.

Ylanan, whose son Val Joseph of barangay Linao, said what happened last December 3 at the Talisay City's People's Hall was "illegal," having violated the Omnibus Election Code.

Val Joseph, who ran for SKF president under the opposition banner, tied with the administration's Carmel John Burlas of Lagtang in an 11-11 vote.

In two consecutive coin tosses however, which later determined the winner, Burlas won and was automatically declared as the new SKF president.

The process however was "abnormal" which means the proclamation is "invalid," as according to Ylanan, quoting Article 19, Section 240 (Election resulting in tie) of the national law, "the board of canvassers, after recording this fact in its minutes, shall by resolution, upon five days notice to all the tied candidates, hold a special public meeting at which the board of canvassers shall proceed to the drawing of lots of the candidates who have tied and shall proclaim as elected the candidates who may be favored by luck, and the candidates so proclaimed shall have the right to assume office in the same manner as if he had been elected by plurality of vote."

Ylanan said the board of election supervisors (BES), which was chaired by Bertilio Pasilang, officer in charge of the DILG-Talisay City, outrightly flipped a coin shortly after it was found that there was a tie, when there should have been a five-day notice given to both parties.

"Maayo unta to og hatagan og five days unya anha buhaton atubangan sa publiko, dili sila-sila lang. Hasta ang media pasaksihon kay mao man nay naa sa balaud," said Ylanan.

Last Friday, members of the media were not allowed inside the People's Hall as it was reportedly in the rules and regulations.

The first toss was done by Council Secretary Emigdio Enjambre, was followed by Elections officer Corazon Moran, who both are members of the BES.

In both tosses, Burlas won. Ylanan said he already approached Pasilang and told him about the rules and regulations.

For his part, Pasilang said he will consult their legal adviser regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, Ylanan said he is also set to file a complaint against Pasilang before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for what had happened.

He is also scheduled to file an election protest before the Commission on Elections, asking it to review the whole process, and also praying for another coin toss this time in front of the public as stated in the law.

"Usbon lang ang coin toss haron klaro gyud. Kay kahibawo ko nga kun sila pa ang napildi, kanang balaura ilang gamiton," Ylanan said. (FREEMAN)