Comelec dismisses petition on Bacoor polls

MANILA, Philippines - There will be no other obstacle for Mayor Strike Revilla and other Bacoor City officials to perform their duties now that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed a petition for the declaration of a failure of elections in the city during the midterm polls last May.

In a resolution, the Comelec said the petition against Revilla and Vice Mayor Karen Sarino-Evaristo and other candidates in the May elections was baseless and had no merit.

In the petition, losing candidates of the administration’s Liberal Party alleged that there was massive vote buying in the city during the polls.

But the Comelec said vote buying cannot be used as reason to declare a failure of elections.

“The conditions for the declaration of failure of elections are stringent. The allegations in the petition must make out a prima facie case for declaration of failure of elections, and convincing evidence must substantiate the allegations,” it said.

The Comelec said it is clear that elections were held in Bacoor, which resulted in the proclamation of Revilla, Evaristo and other local officials.

Revilla garnered more than 119,000 votes, and Evaristo, more than 80,000 votes.

With the Comelec ruling, Revilla appealed for sobriety and unity from his political opponents.

“I want to extend my hands to each one of them. It’s all about politics. Let’s forget the past and now it is the time to focus our efforts and energy in helping out our people. Let’s give the best services we can for our beloved constituents and that’s the divine meaning of true public service,” said Revilla, who is in his third and final term.