Fresnedi withdraws poll protest vs San Pedro

MANILA, Philippines -    Citing financial constraints, defeated Muntinlupa mayoral candidate Jaime Fresnedi has withdrawn an election protest he filed against incumbent Mayor Aldrin San Pedro in connection with the May 11, 2010 polls.

“I withdrew my protest (because) I need to raise additional P4 million plus for the recount, which I feel is too much, excluding the cost of appeal to the (Commission on Elections or) Comelec and the Supreme Court,” Fresnedi told The STAR in a text message.

He also asked the Comelec’s first division to give him back his P1 million deposit for the recount.

Fresnedi, who received 76,808 votes against San Pedro’s 108,091 votes, questioned San Pedro’s proclamation as winner and said there had been electoral fraud in the 2010 polls.