BACOLOD City – Bacolod Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia said that they will file their answers to the recount case filed by supporters of Pamilya Magbinuligay Kita Para sa Kauswagan (MKK). This, after Regional Trial Court Branch 42 Judge Fernando Elumba granted the motion to intervene filed by MKK bets during the hearing on Civil Case No. 1604 filed by Richard Calulut, et. al. which sought for a manual recount of the ballots cast in the May 9, 2016 elections. Elumba issued the decision June 24. The class suit was filed by Calulut, Rufino Alcala, Rodelyn Jagunap, Lope Ledesma, Jr., Levy Cadagat, Jr., Rodolfo Robles, Jr., Banni Macapodi, Nelson Reyes, Rosanna Ilon, Jose Jessie Bantigue, Madeline Diaz, Salvacion Penuela, Febe Legaspi, Joji Agbas, Emilia Lopez, Edgardo Emilia, Jessel Sombilla and Stella Alfabeto. The respondents are Bacolod Election Officer Mavil Majarucon-Sia, Lelanie Lory Bojos and Gerald John Joven of the Board of Canvassers and City Treasurer Giovanni Balalilhi. Majarucon-Sia told reporters that they will file their answers to the case. “After that, the petitioners themselves have the right to file their counter-reply,” she added. Majarucon-Sia said she was represented by the Office of the Solicitor General during the hearing. “In the hearing, the petitioners claimed that their constitutional right of suffrage was violated,” she added. In the manifestation of their legal counsel Joel Cabalatungan, the petitioners sought a manual recount and asked the court to issue an order prohibiting the City Treasurer from transferring the questioned ballots to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila. “This is because there was a case also filed by Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella and vice mayoralty candidate Vladimir Gonzalez seeking a manual recount of the ballots cast and the Comelec might order the transfer of the ballot boxes to Manila,” she explained. But the judge did not issue a ruling on the transfer of ballots saying they should wait for the respondents' answers. The petitioners were represented by lawyer Lyndon Caña. Losing MKK candidates for councilor include Councilor Alex Paglumotan, Homer Bais, Catalino Alisbo, Jocilyn Uychiat, Arnel Sigue, Lyzander Dilag and Dr. Francis Balzomo. Puentevella and Gonzalez filed an election protest before the Comelec central office seeking a public manual recount of all votes cast in Bacolod City. Puentevella who got 97,993 votes, lost to Bacolod Rep. and Mayor-elect Leonardia who garnered 120,231 votes. Councilor and Vice Mayor-elect El Cid Familiaran garnered 108,360 votes against Gonzalez who got 86,611 votes. In the 12-seat city council, 8 are from Grupo Progreso and 4 are with MKK. The Daily Guardian By: Dolly Yasa
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