Supreme Court affirms Degamo’s proclamation as Negros governor

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed the petition filed by Pryde Henry Teves against the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for awarding the votes garnered by a nuisance candidate in favor of Gov. Roel Degamo.

At yesterday’s en banc session, the SC said it did not find grave abuse of discretion when the Comelec proclaimed Degamo.

The high court said the Comelec decision did not violate Teves’ right to due process as Degamo filed the petition against Grego ”Ruel Degamo” Guardia, with Teves being only “an observer” in the case.

“The court found no grave abuse of discretion in counting the votes garnered by nuisance candidate Ruel G. Degamo in favor of Roel R. Degamo,” it said.

The Comelec credited Guardia’s more than 49,000 votes to Degamo, resulting in the governor’s lead of more than 29,000 votes over Teves.

The SC said the “noticeable likeness” between the names of Roel Degamo and Ruel Degamo was observed in election documents as well as on the list of certified voters and official ballots.

The Comelec nullified the victory of Teves after the Comelec voted to annul his proclamation and proclaim Degamo as winner in the elections in May last year.

The poll body voted 3-2 to deny the motion for reconsideration filed by Guardia to overturn the Comelec’s decision to declare him a nuisance candidate.