Reluya cites Compostela case as precedent to own protest

CEBU, Philippines - Former San Fernando mayor Lakambini Reluya is confident that the case in Compostela would set a precedent in her election protest against Mayor Antonio Canoy and that the proclamation of the latter as winning candidate in the last May 10 elections will be suspended soon.

Reluya expressed optimism despite Canoy’s assumption to office yesterday. According to Reluya, her protest against Canoy is similar to that of former mayor Ritchie Wagas against Joel Quiño in Compostela wherein the Commission on Elections has suspended the effects of the proclamation of all the winning candidates.

Reluya said that Canoy will also be dethroned anytime soon. She believes that the Comelec would rule in her favor citing the pieces of evidence she has submitted.

Reluya, who lost to Canoy in the last elections, alleged that there were “irregularities” in six precincts of San Fernando prompting her to file the pending protest seeking for a manual recount of the ballots. Reluya only lost by a margin of 1,000 votes to Canoy.

The ballot boxes have already been deposited to the Regional Trial Court Branch 11 where the election protest is pending. RTC Judge Ramon Daomilas initially found during inspection that two of the 49 boxes deposited to the court have broken padlocks.(FREEMAN NEWS)