SC upholds voiding of Sarangani mayor’s election

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—The Supreme Court has upheld with finality a decision of the Commission on Elections voiding the election of Mayor Jose Zamorro of Maasim, Sarangani, in favor of his rival.

In its ruling last week, a copy of which the Inquirer has obtained, the high court said there was no reason to grant Zamorro relief from the Comelec ruling.

Last May, the Comelec ruled that Zamorro’s proclamation as winner by the municipal board of canvassers  was erroneous and that Arturo Lawa, his closest rival, should have been declared the winner.

The MBOC had proclaimed Zamorro as the winner, having garnered 5,321 votes against Lawa’s 5,306 votes as reflected on the final canvas. But Lawa argued that the MBOC failed to canvass the actual votes he and Zamorro got from precinct No. 21 due to a transmission error.

What the MBOC had canvassed, he said, were the results of a mock election conducted at the precinct to test the electronic equipment used in the May 10 elections.

The certified election returns from the precinct showed that Lawa received 136 votes while Zamorro had only 62 votes, and the Comelec ruled in favor of Lawa.

Instead of yielding to the Comelec ruling, Zamorro went to the Supreme Court. His first petition was dismissed but he filed a motion for reconsideration.

In its latest decision, the court said it had no reason to reverse its earlier ruling dismissing Zamorro’s petition and ordered the Comelec to reconvene the MBOC for Lawa’s proclamation.

Zamorro would not issue any statement  but Lawa said he hoped his legal battle to claim what was rightfully his was now over.

“I hope my proclamation would take place soon,” Lawa said.