Special polls in Baguio, ComVal hang in the air

BAGUIO CITY—An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Cordillera said the holding of special elections for a village here, whose ballots were delivered to Compostela Valley, was beyond the local poll office’s jurisdiction.

“As much as we want to hold a special election for Barangay (village) Lualhati, it would take the Comelec en banc to do it,” said lawyer Jose Nick Mendros, Comelec Cordillera director.

He said a request has been sent to the Comelec national office but the special elections for the four precincts of Lualhati would only be held if results of local races would be affected.

Lualhati has 638 registered voters but with results of all precincts in the city tallied on Tuesday afternoon, the votes coming from that village would not have an impact on the candidates’ standing.

The Comelec, in fact, proclaimed the winning candidates for representative, mayor, vice mayor and councilors on Tuesday night.

Proclaimed were Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr., Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas and 12 councilors.

In Davao, the Comelec said it needed to hold a special election in a village in Compostela town in Compostela Valley, where ballots intended for Baguio were sent, because the results would matter in the local race.

“I have checked with the election supervisor and I learned it would have an impact on the standing, so we need a special election,” said William Jay Balisado, Comelec director in the Davao region.

Balisado, however, said there was no need to hurry as long as voters are properly informed to give them time to prepare.

“If the ballots arrive, we can schedule the special elections on Friday,” Balisado said. Frank Cimatu, Inquirer Northern Luzon, and Germelina Lacorte, Inquirer Mindanao