By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The ongoing recount in the Isabela mayoral race, which opened earlier this month, will have the courts formally open ballots today. According to Atty. Jose Max Ortiz, legal counsel for Joselito Malabor, the incumbent mayor who lost his reelection bid to Dr. Irene Consunji Montilla in last month’s midterm elections, the court will first form a revision committee.

Ortiz noted, proceedings will be conducted behind closed doors and off-limits to media.

Based on the most recent returns, Malabor lost by 13,892 votes to 13,844, a difference of 48 votes.

The petitioner said allegations surrounding the “double transmission” of votes need to be clarified. He also alleged, with votes still being counted, local officials “rushed” Consunji Montilla’s proclamation.

Malabor assumed the seat after his predecessor, Enrique Montilla III, Consunji Montilla’s husband, passed away in 2017./DGB, WDJ