Surigao Norte gov's 2010 poll victory upheld

SURIGAO CITY, Philippines  – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) second division has upheld the victory of Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Folcadilla Matugas over former governor and congressman Robert Ace Barbers in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

The Comelec decision, signed by commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph and issued last May 16, dismissed for lack of merit the election protest filed by Barbers after a recount of the votes showed Matugas won the election.

Barbers filed an election protest on May 25, 2010 over alleged irregularities and errors in the counting of votes and defects in the precinct count optical scan machines.

“The commission cannot, with the evidence presented, come to a conclusive determination that there occurred pre-shading of ballots in the May 10, 2010 automated elections. Not a single voter whose vote in the May 10, 2010 elections was accomplished by a spurious voter came forward. The protestant (Barbers) failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate his allegations,” the Comelec decision said, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR.

The poll body added that Barbers did not overcome Matugas’ lead in the precincts, where the irregularities as alleged by Barbers occurred.

Even if Barbers recovered his votes in the protested precincts, the Comelec said it would only result in 592 votes against the 2,114 votes for Matugas.

 Matugas and Barbers both said they would run again in next year’s elections.