Citing court decision defeated brgy bet claims he won polls

CEBU, Philippines -  A defeated candidate for barangay captain in Pasil, Cebu City has claimed to be the winner in last year’s election per result of a revision of votes recently conducted.

Francisco De Gracia, Jr., who ran against incumbent Barangay Captain Julius Guioguio, went to City Hall yesterday purposely to take his oath before Mayor Michael Rama.

He was accompanied by his lawyer, Rilven Christian Virtudazo, together with some 100 supporters.

De Gracia said an April 14, 2014 promulgation showed that he won against Guioguio by a margin of 218 votes, contrary to the 2013 barangay election result which showed Guioguio won by a margin of 150 votes.

“We protested kay hugaw ang dagan sa maong eleksyon. Ang akong supporters actually ang nagpursige aning revision of votes,” said De Gracia.

However, Guioguio’s camp has pending appeal before the Commission on Elections.

But De Gracia and his lawyer reported to Rama that the decision of Regional Trial Court Branch 1 Judge Monalila Tecson allows them to execute the oath-taking pending Guioguio’s appeal.

“If they fail to get a temporary restraining order within 20 working days, mulingkod ‘ta sa barangay,” De Gracia said.

De Gracia who ran twice for barangay captain,   wantes to address the drug problem in Barangay Pasil once he assumes his post.

Rama, however, did not administer the oath-taking and instead asked for a copy of a writ of execution from the court.

“Let us handle first the legal matter,” said Rama, adding that the oath-taking shall follow as soon as the legal issues surrounding the revision are ironed out.

De Gracia said he will return to the City Hall today with the needed documents so that he can finally take his oath.

Guioguio’s camp however said the Comelec Manila has the final say and can reverse the decision since their appeal is still pending.

As per report of the Cebu City Public Information Office shortly after the results were released in October 2013 barangay elections, Guioguio won with 3,274 votes.  (FREEMAN)