Court upholds win of Negros Occidental mayor in May polls

BACOLOD CITY –– A trial court judge has upheld the proclamation of Irene Montilla as the winner of the mayoral race in Isabela town, Negros Occidental.

After a revision of votes, Judge Mila Yap-Camiso of the Regional Trial Court Branch 74 said Montilla led by a margin of 22 votes over her opponent, former mayor Joselito Malabor.

The judge dismissed the electoral protest filed by Malabor for lack of merit.

“Considering that the court finds the protest to be not frivolous, no cost is awarded,” the judge said.

Malabor, who lost by 48 votes in the May 13 polls, filed an election protest on May 23.

During the revision of votes, Montilla won by a narrower margin of 22 votes.

The judge ordered the return of the ballot boxes and all election paraphernalia to the election officer and municipal treasurer of Isabela./lzb