Degamo proclaimed Negros Oriental governor

MANILA, Philippines — Former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo has been proclaimed winner in the province’s gubernatorial race in May, following the resolution of an election debacle perpetrated by a nuisance candidate.

In an official proclamation held at the Commission on Elections office in Intramuros, Manila yesterday, Degamo was proclaimed winner by the Comelec’s special provincial board of canvassers.

The proclamation put an end to a four-month-long dispute to the province’s gubernatorial post.

“Finally, justice is served. Thank you very much for all the prayers and blessings from Negros Oriental. I am proud to be your truly elected governor,” Degamo said in a post on social media.

Degamo’s proclamation officially nullified the victory of incumbent Gov. Henry Teves and marked the beginning of a new administration in the province.

In a writ of execution promulgated last week, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body, in an en banc session, voted 3-2, denying the motion for reconsideration filed by candidate Grego Guardia, who used the name “Ruel Degamo” in the ballots.

The Comelec credited Guardia’s more than 49,000 votes to Degamo, which resulted in the latter having a lead of over 29,000 than Teves, who garnered a total of 296,897 votes.

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco earlier said the poll body is mulling to criminalize nuisance candidacies, noting how some people make a mockery of the elections. – Gilbert Bayoran