Coin toss breaks Bocaue mayor's race tie

MANILA, Philippines — The die was cast. Literally.

Mayoral race in Bocaue, Bulacan took an unexpected turn when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) asked the town's two mayoralty candidates to draw lots after earning the same number of votes in Monday's elections.

Liberal Party (LP) bet Joni Villanueva and independent candidate Jim Valerio both garnered 16,694 votes. During the toss coin, Villanueva, sister of senatorial candidate Joel "Tesdaman" Villanueva, won over rival Valerio.

In a notice issued Tuesday, the Comelec asked the two candidates to appear before the board for the drawing of lots. 

The drawing of lots to break the tie is under the poll body's Resolution 10083 or the General Instruction for the Board of Canvassers on the Consolidation/Canvass and Transmission of Votes specifically Section 11, Letter D-II.

Based on the resolution, “the board shall, after recording in its minutes the fact of having candidates receiving the same number of votes for the position, immediately notified the said candidates to appear before the Board for drawing of lots to break the tie."

The winner of the draw became the mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan. — With reports from Vanessa Bernardo