Bacolod Metropolis Mayor Evelio Leonardia. (Photograph from his Fb web page)
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines —Mayor Evelio Leonardia described as “merely mysterious and unbelievable” his defeat by his billionaire opponent, businessman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, on this metropolis.
“The style of treating the casting of votes, the studies given to us by our ballot watchers, and the bizarre and questionable malfunctioning of numerous VCMs [vote counting machines] all raised questions on the truthful conduct of the elections in addition to the credibility and accuracy of the digital transmission and supply of the votes from the precincts to the Comelec [Commission on Elections] canvassing middle,” Leonardia mentioned.
The Bacolod Metropolis Board of Canvassers on Tuesday proclaimed Benitez the winner within the mayoralty race with 171,893 votes towards Leonardia’s 107,447 votes.
Leonardia mentioned the vote rely confirmed that Benitez gained in areas the incumbent mayor thought-about his bailiwicks.
In an announcement to the folks of Bacolod, Leonardia mentioned he and plenty of of their Grupo Progreso (GP) supporters had been nonetheless in shock over the outcomes of the Could 9 native elections.
“For now, we are going to depart the matter to our authorized workforce. It is going to be as much as the attorneys to review and look into potential authorized treatments in order that we are able to have the vote-counting machines rechecked to fulfill the questions raised by the GP slate and all our supporters,” he mentioned.
“They chorused that the outcomes are mysterious and unbelievable,” he added.
For the reason that begin of the marketing campaign interval, Leonardia mentioned GP sorties and caucuses, whether or not held in the course of the day or evening, attracted large enthusiastic crowds with out resorting to “hakot,” the observe of ferrying potential supporters to rallies.
Throughout their pre-opening salvo caravan, GP supporters allegedly set a record-high crowd, which the Bacolod Site visitors Authority Workplace referred to as “the longest ever held within the metropolis.”
Leonardia additionally mentioned the GP “miting de avance” on Could 7 was one other record-breaking feat that drew a mammoth crowd.
Leonardia thanked all those that stayed in the course of the good and most difficult occasions, his supporters, and his household “for being there for me each step of the best way.”
RELATED STORIES
Bacolod an open metropolis for nationwide bets, says mayor
Round 27 Catholic lay organizations in Bacolod again Robredo, Pangilinan
ATM
Subscribe to our every day e-newsletter
Learn Subsequent
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get entry to The Philippine Every day Inquirer & different 70+ titles, share as much as 5 devices, hearken to the information, obtain as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Name 896 6000.
For suggestions, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
