Poll protest filed vs Gatchalian

MANILA, Philippines – Losing Valenzuela City mayoral candidate Rep. Magtanggol Guinigundo has sought the nullification of votes for reelectionist Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian due to alleged cheating in the last elections.

In a petition filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last week, Guinigundo asked the poll body to nullify Gatchalian’s proclamation.

Guinigundo said he filed a motion questioning the legality of the composition of the city’s board of canvassers (BOC) immediately after the closing of elections on May 9.

He claimed that an official from the registry of deeds sat as the BOC’s third member, instead of the superintendent of Valenzuela schools, in violation of the law.

Despite his appeal, Guinigundo said the BOC still proceeded with the canvassing of votes and the proclamation of Gatchalian.

Guinigundo claimed that the results of the mayoral polls were tampered with in favor of Gatchalian.

“It is statistically improbable for the petitioner to lose in all polling precincts,” Guinigundo’s lawyers said, citing a 70-30 ratio of elections results in every precinct.

“The ratio seemed to indicate a pattern of trending, which could be a product of machine manipulation,” Guinigundo added.

He said it was questionable for him to lose in his bailiwicks where he obtained a high number of votes when he ran and won as congressman in the 2010 and 2013 elections.

“Election results appeared to have been tampered with, falsified or contain discrepancies,” Guinigundo said.

He urged the Comelec to nullify the proclamation of Gatchalian.

The poll body should order Gatchalian to cease and desist from performing functions as mayor pending final determination of the election results, Guinigundo said.

Comelec officials proclaimed Gatchalian as winner in the mayoral race on Tuesday.

Gatchalian garnered 190,856 votes against Guinigundo’s 65,375 votes, according to the Comelec’s final tally.