Tie in Palawan town mayoral race to be broken by ‘coin toss’

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — The election board of Araceli town in Palawan is set to preside Friday afternoon over a coin toss between two mayoral candidates who received identical vote counts at the conclusion of the poll canvassing.

Reelectionist Noel Beronio and Sue Cudilla, candidates for mayor in Araceli, received 3,495 votes each as the official tally concluded Thursday night.

Based on the election code, when two or more candidates for the same position have received an equal number of votes, the board of canvassers shall proceed with the drawing of lots. Settling the deadlock by flipping a coin is also acceptable.

The coin toss will happen around 3 p.m.

“Wala din po ako magawa kung yun ang naging resulta dahil naniniwala naman ako na maaring yan din ung naging kaloob ng ating Panginoong Diyos. About sa toss coin, well, pwede namin pag-usapan ang processo ng kabilang party (There Is nothing I can do if that is the result because I believe it could actually be God’s will. About the toss coin, well, both parties can just talk about the process),” Beronio said in a text message to the Inquirer.

Araceli is a 4th class island municipality in northern Palawan. It can be reached through four to five hours of motorboat ride from this city. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)