Incumbent kapitan is disqualified
SAN CARLOS CITY–The tie in Barangay Turac here with two candidates for kapitan getting 573 votes each did not need breaking after all.
One of the candidates, it turned out, has already exceeded the three-term limit and must therefore be disqualified, according to Provincial Elections Officer Reddy Balarbar.
The contenders were the incumbent, Socrates Bulatao, and his challenger Reynante Castaneda.
The two were scheduled to face in a draw-by-lot in San Carlos City’s Bulwagan last October 30 but this was aborted when Castaneda moved for Bulatao’s disqualification on the ground that he already exceeded the three-term limit.
Balarbar said it was found out that Bulatao was first elected barangay captain in 1994 and was never replaced, which means he already served not only the allowable limit of three terms but four terms.
The Commission on Elections has yet to explain how Bulatao was able to run for the same position in excess of the term limit.
No complaint or dispute was earlier filed by neither opposing candidates or the residents of Barangay Turac.
Castaneda may now be automatically be declared winner.—LM
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