By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) denied a motion for reconsideration filed by former Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson regarding a previous poll protest dismissal against his opponent, Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya.

According to HRET Resolution No.18-042, the motion was denied on lack of merit.

The resolution pointed out there is no new relevant matter raised that would justify the reversal of the tribunal’s resolution issued last November.

In response to the ruling, Gasataya said it is time to move on, adding he would work “doubly hard” for the city.

According to the earlier 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.

Gasataya beat Sayson in the 2016 congressional race by a margin of 1,036 votes./DGB, WDJ