CEBU, Philippines — The ten-day period of the filing of election protest relative to the recently concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections ends today, Nov. 10, said the election officer of Cebu City North District, lawyer Marchel Sarno.
Although there has only been one election protest that they have received by far since the BSKE has ended, Sarno said they will be following the mandate of a ten-day period of accepting election protest.
The ten-day period began on the day of the election.
Sarno laid out how the election protest will be done.
When an election petition is being submitted, the Commission on Election (Comelec) will be certifying those who ran for the position, and the votes that they garnered during the election.
The said documents were, namely: certificate of canvass and proclamation.
“Mao gyud to ang result nila..if mao to ilang protestahan mao to ang material na ipakita sa korte na ang alegasyon sa petitioner,” said Sarno.
To also verify results generated by the Board of Canvassers, ballot boxes will be opened.
Last Wednesday, former Mabini, Cebu City barangay captain Manny Pepito filed an election protest against the winner of last Oct. 30’s BSKE, re-electionist barangay captain Richard Adolfo.
In a petition, Pepito told the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in Cebu City that he wanted a recount saying he actually earned more votes than the 879 he garnered compared to Adolfo’s 881, only that they were not counted in his favor.
According to Sarno, Pepito’s petition may be also motivated by the testimony laid out by his watchers.
Since the petition has already been filed in court, once granted, Sarno said they will be recounting the votes garnered. There is, however, a hearing before the approval of recounting.
“Ang korte momando sa Comelec na i-produce tung mga records nga kinahanglan sa recount, apil na ana na mando sa korte na ipa deliver ang ballot box didto sa korte,” said Sarno.
The court will then launch a committee who will be responsible for appreciating the votes. The committee will then be submitting a recommendation to the judge as the judge will be releasing the final decision.
As the process may appear to require a long period of time, Sarno said that election cases are being given priorities in court since those who will be declared winners will serve a specific term.
As the filing of petitions ends today, Sarno said they will have to abide by it. (CEBU NEWS)