Witness refutes ex-mayor's claims

CEBU, Philippines – The camp of the proclaimed mayor in San Fernando town, Cebu presented seven witnesses in court out of 14 to refute the allegations made by defeated Mayor Lakambini Reluya that he committed irregularities during elections.

Democrito Barcenas, representing Mayor Antonio Canoy, presented barangay Cananyas councilman Felipe Ubaob.

Ubaob denied the accusations of barangay captain Eminiciana Panadero saying he did not see former barangay captain Sheila Canoy and barangay tanods didn't see in the polling precincts with a vehicle full of passengers.

"I did not see them arrive in the precincts together with voters, even though I'm about 15 meters away from the precinct but I can see them if ever they were there since I was standing on an elevated area," Ubaob said.

Panadero who recently testified in court claimed former barangay captain Canoy and barangay tanods arrived at the precincts aboard a vehicle loaded with passengers.

Reluya filed an election protest against Canoy claiming that Canoy's camp committed some irregularities.

Reluya lost to Canoy by a margin of 1,271.

Canoy garnered 15,329 votes while Reluya got 14,055 votes. (FREEMAN)