“Draw–lot” to determine kapitan
IT NOW comes down to random luck.
After a year and a half of legal battles, which is half the period of the term in office, two contenders for the kapitan position in Barangay Salisay in Dagupan have agreed to a draw by lot to finally determine the winning candidate.
The draw, to be held on January 24 at 9:00 a.m. at the City School Division Training Center at the West Central Elementary School, was ordered by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division after holding a recount where the two candidates came out tied at 408 votes each.
The candidates are incumbent Barangay Captain Conrado Muyalde and challenger Andrew Carvajal.
Muyalde, now in his third and final term of office, retained his post after he was declared the winner of the October 2010 election by just one vote.
Carvajal immediately filed an election protest before the City Court where he was declared the winner in the 2nd recount by two votes.
Muyalde appealed the decision of the local court before the Comelec in Manila.
Eventually, the Comelec Second Division ruled on December 23, 2011 that the two had equal votes and thus ordered the conduct of draw by lot to determine the winner.
City Elections Officer Remarque Ravanzo said he called Carvajal and Muyalde to meet and decide on the suggestion to draw-lot, and both agreed to the draw.
Ravanzo then notified members of the Barangay Board of Canvasser to convene and conduct the draw by lot in public with all parties and other interested persons as witnesses.
Ravanzo clarified that the result of the draw will not restrict the loser from filing another appeal before the Court of Appeals.
However, with only one year and a half remaining before the next election, Ravanzo does not expect either one to seek further legal remedies.
Ravazo noted that this case of Barangay Salisay was the closest election contest in Dagupan’s history.
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