Village poll impasse settled by drawing of lots

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines   â€“ In the effort to end the impasse over who won last Monday’s barangay elections here, community elders advised the two co-winners to draw lots to break the tie.

The local board of canvassers proclaimed Baluyan Inway Pagnas as the duly elected chairman of Barangay Cabanglasan in Kayapa town, besting his own uncle, Manuel Inway Basilio who lost in the draw last Thursday.

Both Pagnas and Basilio obtained 167 votes in the barangay elections last Oct. 28.

Through the mediation of community elders, the two agreed to resolve the deadlock through the drawing of lots.

Earlier, reelectionist Severino Fontanilla prevailed in the coin toss over his brother, Isagani Fontanilla, for the chairmanship of Barangay Gabut, Dupax del Sur town.

The brothers both obtained 195 votes and agreed to break the tie through coin toss last Oct. 29, a day after the polls.

Under election laws, rival candidates obtaining the same votes are allowed to draw lots or toss a coin to resolve the tie.