By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga and Mae Singuay
Candidates who got tie results in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in Negros Occidental were decided by drawing lots and not by tossing coins, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.
Comelec-NegOcc elections supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said drawing lots, used as a basis to break tie rankings and to determine the winning candidates, is based on the Comelec Resolution on General Instruction for the board of canvassers on the consolidation of canvass.
Ananoria said the Board of Canvassers should explain to the candidates the system of drawing lots, where candidates will draw numbers, and the one who draws the “number one” will assume the position.
The drawing of lots for tied BSKE candidates concluded yesterday, days after the conduct of the BSKE last October 30.
The winning candidates will be proclaimed immediately.
Earlier, Ananoria confirmed that the number of tie results following the BSKE has reached 137.
At least 50 candidates in Bacolod City also got tie rankings.
The Comelec also clarified that the winning candidates in the BSKE will start their two-year term after taking an oath as duly-elected barangay officials before an authorized government officer, and submitting their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
According to Republic Act 7166, or the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act, no elected officials may assume office without filing their respective SOCE.
Candidates, may it be winners or losers, must file their SOCE at the office of the election officer on or before November 29.
Those who fail to submit their SOCE after two successive elections will no longer be allowed to run for public office.
Oath-taking
Meanwhile, a formal mass oath-taking for 976 newly-elected barangay and SK officials in Bacolod will be conducted on November 10 at 6:00 p.m.
“It is because we would like to present our good governance to the barangay officials,” Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.
Benitez said he is waiting for the Department of the Interior and Local Government to set down so that they can come up with proper mechanism for transition to newly-elected barangay officials.
He said that they could assume office immediately after the proclamation and oath-taking.
“Once they satisfy the requirements technically, they can sit down already as newly-elected officials,” Benitez said./DGB, MS, WDJ