The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) unanimously junked the poll protest lodged by former Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson against Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, 9-0.

According to the decision, signed by HRET chairperson, Supreme Court Associate Judge Presbitero Velasco, Jr., the allegations of vote buying and the “questionable mathematical disparity of votes” failed to establish  a cause of action necessary to maintain action.

The body noted, “mathematical assumptions and conjecture” are devoid of substance.

Back in March, the former vice mayor questioned the credibility of the vote counting machines (VCMs) and requested a manual recount and audit of ballots. He also found it dubious that some ballots did not indicate a selection for congressman.

“They counted votes for other local positions but they did not vote for congressman,” Sayson claimed.

Gasataya called the decision “vindication.”

The congressman received a total of 85,467 votes, compared to Sayson’s 84,431.

Meanwhile, the HRET pointed out, Sayson failed to pay an additional filing fee, which resulted in his counterclaim not being filed./DGB, WDJ