THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has junked the motion for reconsideration filed by Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa in connection with a poll protest against him.

In a decision dated Oct. 14, 2021, the Comelec 2nd Division denied Africa’s motion noting it was just a mere reiteration of arguments previously junked by the poll body.

Africa is facing an electoral protest filed by former Lipa City mayoral bet Bernadette Sabili in connection to the 2019 local polls. Sabili is the wife of three-term Lipa City mayor and former Undersecretary of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Meynard Sabili.

The Comelec favored Sabili’s motion to withdraw her protest covering 80 percent of the questioned precincts.

Sabili noted that the finding of the Comelec technical examinations on the 20 percent of the subject precincts yielded more than sufficient evidence to establish her victory and prove there was electoral fraud.

It will be recalled that the Comelec noted an irregularity in more than 15,000 voters for the Lipa City mayoral race in 2019.

Comelec investigation showed that 50 percent of the votes subjected to the technical examination were anomalous as the signatures and thumbmarks of voters recorded during the actual election were not identical to those in the Comelec registration record.

Sabili expresaed optimism that the Comelec findings are enough basis for her proclamation as the true winner of the 2019 election as mayor of Lipa City.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Zaida I. Delos Reyes