Supreme Court upholds Cagayan governor's victory

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the electoral protest filed by former Cagayan governor Edgar Lara, thus affirming the victory of Gov. Alvaro Antonio in the 2007 mid-term elections. 

In a decision this week, the SC dismissed the case on what the Lara camp described as “mere technicality” but which the Antonio camp said was “based on merits of the case.”

Lara said he would no longer appeal the decision “due to impracticality” as the 2010 elections are nearing.

The SC upheld the Commission on Elections’ decision affirming Antonio’s 175,484 votes as against Lara’s 174,822 during the re-canvassing of election returns here in July 2007. – Charlie Lagasca