Election protest vs Osmeña; Inventory of contested poll ballots starts today

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections-Cebu has assured that the inventory and sealing of ballot boxes involved in 168 contested pilot precincts will push through today.

The camp of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier requested to have the inventory reset from April 26. The mayor's lawyer earlier said they were informed at short notice, considering that the law firm is based in Intramuros, Manila.

Provincial Election Supervisor Lawyer Lionel Castillano said the inventory and sealing of ballot boxes will start at 10 a.m. at the Senior Citizens Park at the back of City Hall.

For former mayor Michael Rama’s camp, lawyer Tara Rama will witness the inventory and sealing of the ballot boxes.

As to the inventory procedure, Comelec-Cebu will check first the “physical condition” of the ballot boxes.

After the inventory, the contested ballot boxes will be delivered to the Comelec Philpost warehouse in the Port Area of Manila for the recount.

Based on the rules, Rama’s camp will shoulder the expenses of the ballot boxes' transportation.

 Castillano said that based on what has been discussed on their recent conference meeting with Rama’s legal counsel, the ballot boxes will be shipped, not flown, to Manila.

Last April 17, the Comelec Second Division gave the election officers of Cebu City and the Cebu City Treasurer's Office 10 days to make an inventory and to seal the ballot boxes involved in the contested precincts.

Among the precincts included in the protest are those in barangays Ermita, Camputhaw, Mabolo, Sambag I, T. Padilla, Basak Pardo, Basak San Nicolas, Bulacao, Guadalupe, Inayawan, Calamba, Poblacion Pardo, and Punta Princesa.

It was May 20, 2016 when Rama filed an election protest against Osmeña before the Comelec Second Division supported by 42 barangay captains.

Rama requested Comelec to conduct a manual ballot count of votes cast in 20 percent of 837 precincts during the May 9 elections, when Osmeña defeated Rama, garnering 233,186 votes to Rama's 267,222 votes. (FREEMAN)