‘Numerous’ defective SD cards stall proclamations in Quezon

LUCENA CITY -– Defective SD cards have been preventing the proclamation of winning candidates in Quezon province, according to the provincial poll chief.

“The defective cards are numerous,” said lawyer Sheryl Moresca-Julie, head of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Quezon, said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.

She did not provide how many defective cards there were.

She said they have only received complete election returns from 27 localities out of the province’s 39 towns and two cities.

She expressed hope they would be able to proclaim reelectionist Rep. Helen Tan (NPC) as the winner in the province’s 4th district before midnight Wednesday.

“We’re only waiting for the election returns from the towns of Calauag and Tagkawayan,” she said.

Tan was unopposed but the board of canvassers, under Comelec rule, is not allowed to proclaim her as the victor, without the complete election returns from her district.

“Any interested parties can file a petition to lower the threshold. But we have to submit the petition at the central office for the decision. And the wait will be much longer,” she explained.

Moresca-Julie said the defective cards were being brought to the regional technical hub in Santa Rosa City in Laguna province to address the issue.

Though the winners in the posts of governor, vice governor and representatives in Quezon’s four districts have already been known in unofficial tallies of the local Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting and different media tabulations, the winner were all waiting for official proclamations by the Comelec.

Rep. Danilo Suarez, who ran for governor, and his running mate reelectionist Sam Nantes, were already sure of their victories based on unofficial tallies.

Former Rep. Mark Enverga was also unopposed in the first district.

Outgoing Gov. David Suarez, Danilo’s son, was also sure of his victory against former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala in the congressional race in the second district.

The Suarez clan matriarch, come-backing former Rep. Aleta Suarez in the third district, was also leading in the congressional race and was sure of replacing her husband Danilo. (Editor: Leti Boniol)