Comelec junks Leonardia’s poll protest vs Benitez

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed a poll protest filed by former Bacolod mayor Evelio Leonardia against incumbent Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.

In dismissing the petition, the Comelec’s Second Division said Leonardia’s protest was “improperly filed and insufficient in form and content.”

The Comelec decision was dated Sept. 7 and signed by Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Rey Bulay.

Leonardia, who garnered 107,447 votes, sought to nullify the proclamation of Benitez, who won the Bacolod mayoral race with 171,893 votes.

In a reply submitted before the Comelec, Benitez sought the dismissal of the complaints filed against him by Leonardia.

Benitez said the allegations and evidence were false, misleading and imaginary.

The Comelec noted that Leonardia failed to specify and substantiate his statements in the election protest to show how and where the alleged fraud, vote buying and other irregularties were committed.

It said no affidavit of witnesses was attached to the petition to substantiate the allegations.

Meanwhile, the camp of Leonardia said it has yet to receive a copy of the Comelec resolution.

Leonardia’s spokesman Chris Sorongon said they were unaware of the reasons for the dismissal.

Sorongon gave assurance that their protest had complied with all the requirements of the Comelec and the law.

“We will exhaust all available remedies to ensure justice will be done to voters of Bacolod City,” Sorongon said.

He said they were wondering where the alleged documents came from, noting they are the party involved in the case and yet their counsel did not receive a copy of the ruling.

“Our counsel will face the issues squarely, at the proper time and forum,” he said.