Conflicts delay proclamation of QC winners

MANILA, Philippines - Tensions between rival parties in various barangays in Quezon City delayed the proclamation of some winners in the village elections held Monday.

An employee at the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office said yesterday that no winner has been officially proclaimed as of 5 p.m. in all of the five barangays composing District 2, the largest in terms of voting population.

The canvassing for Barangays Payatas and Commonwealth had to be moved to the city hall because of the tension between the candidates, said the employee.

The canvassing of the votes in Commonwealth – the barangay that was allotted P68 million in Internal Revenue Allotment for 2013, the largest in the city this year – started only yesterday afternoon.

Six candidates are vying for the post that will be vacated by three-term chairman Jose Gaviola. The barangay has over 64,000 voters.

Meanwhile, the canvassing of the votes in Barangay Batasan Hills – the largest in terms of voting population with over 69,000 – was being held in Batasan Hills High School.

Winners in Districts 1, 3 and 5 have been proclaimed as of yesterday afternoon.

In District 4, the canvassing was still on going in Barangay Tatalon as of 5 p.m.

Protest

In District 5, around 100 supporters of losing candidates held a noise barrage yesterday at the gate of Maligaya Elementary School, which served as the polling center of Barangay Pasong Putik.

Among those who protested was broadcaster Gani Oro, who ran for barangay chairman.

Another candidate for barangay chairman, Rosario Ojas, as well as five other candidates for kagawad or councilor, submitted a letter to the Comelec alleging irregularities in the polls.

They claimed that two ballot boxes were switched and that many of those who voted are not found on the list or have already passed away. Ojas added that some ballot boxes were opened without the presence of poll watchers of all parties.

Another letter, this one by Oro, asked the barangay board of canvassers to stop the canvassing due to the alleged irregularities.

But according to the local Comelec office, election protests will have to be filed before the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court and the canvassing of the votes had to proceed.

Re-electionist chairman Evangeline Dungca has been proclaimed the winner in the race.

The STAR tried to get the reaction of Dungca on the allegations of her rivals, but she has yet to respond to text messages or answer calls.