Isabela poll results questioned

SANTIAGO CITY — Lawyers of the widow of Rep. Antonio Abaya formally filed two petitions with the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) yesterday questioning the results of the recent special elections in the fourth congressional district.

Lawyer Laila Bohol, lead counsel of Dr. Asuncion Abaya, said they are seeking the voiding of the proclamation of former senior board member Giorgidi Aggabao, and a recanvassing of election returns from the towns of San Isidro, San Agustin and Ramon.

Aggabao, of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, has taken his oath as fourth district congressman before Assistant Majority Leader Raul Gonzales.

In a privilege speech, Agga—bao denied allegations that his victory was marred by fraud.

Abaya’s camp claimed that based on the fifth copies of the election returns, she won by 4,969 votes over Aggabao.

In the official canvass of the Commission on Elections, however, Aggabao trounced Abaya, of the Lakas-NUCD, by more than 11,000 votes.

Lawyer Abe Sable, Abaya’s campaign manager, alleged that election returns were switched and tampered during canvassing at the provincial capitol.