Magpale told to intervene in Soco's election protest

CEBU, Philippines -  The Commission on Elections 2nd Division ordered Vice Governor Agnes Magpale to intervene in the election protest filed by losing gubernatorial bet Glenn Anthony Soco against the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez.

In his order last May 20, Presiding Commissioner Lugenito Tagle directed Magpale to intervene in the proceedings of the case within five days from receipt and submit the name of her counsel.

“Vice Governor Agnes Magpale becomes a real party in interest in this case and should therefore defend the votes obtained by her predecessor, late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez for her to be able to continue discharging the functions of the contested office and enjoy the privilege,” the order read.

However, Magpale said she will not intervene as she is not after the position of vice governor.

Magpale added if Soco wins the protest then she will vacate the place and go back to being Provincial Board Member.

Soco filed election protest before the Comelec last May 20 against the late vice governor citing massive fraud and immense irregularities in the conduct of the election.

Soco got 517,687 votes while Sanchez had 543,924 votes. Cebu has 1,703,829 voters and has a total of 10,923 established precincts which were clustered and reduced to 2,276 precincts.

Soco claimed that the total number of null and/or unaccounted vote, taken together, could materially affect the results of the elections considering the 1,365,975 actual votes cast for the position of vice governor, as reflected in the Statement of Votes by city/municipality for the position of vice governor does not tally with the total number of votes cast for him, Sanchez and other vice gubernatorial bet which is only 1,070,570.   (FREEMAN)