CAGAYAN de Oro City Treasurer's Office and the City Commission on Elections (Comelec) over the weekend conducted an inventory and resealing of the ballot boxes used in the May 9, 2016 elections for the first district following the order of preservation from the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).
City Comelec Officer Gina Luna Zayas-Sabio said the directive was the action of the HRET after taking cognizance of the election protest filed by losing congressional candidate Lourdes Candy Darimbang.
Darimbang lost her bid against re-electionist Rolando Klarex Uy in a difference of 5,886 votes.
She filed the complaint before the HRET last May 24, 2016 and sought for a manual recount of votes.
Sabio said the order was issued late December last year but the resealing got postponed due to the unavailability of one of the parties.
“The order was to see to it nga dili mahilabtan ang mga ballot boxes maong naay order of preservation (that the ballot boxes are not to be tampered that is why there is an order of preservation),” Sabio said.
The inspection, inventory, and resealing of the ballot boxes were witnessed by the parties of Uy and Darimbang and by representatives of the local poll body.
Sabio said the “protective” order aims to ensure that ballot boxes are tightly secured and in good condition once they are transported to the HRET.
The City Comelec officer said the labels and seals of the ballot boxes have been checked and the locks inspected.
The ballot boxes contain the actual ballot shaded by the voters of the first district in the last polls.
“Basin naa gidugang nga silyo kay basin naay wala kaayo masilyohi og tarong or naa bay wala kaayo masarado. Gi-check sad kung correct ang label kay basin naay natangtang (Perhaps a seal was added, there was probably a box that was not sealed or closed properly. It was also checked if the label is correct),” Sabio said.
She said the ballot boxes may be transported to the HRET once the hearing of the protest starts.
“Since gi-take cognizance naman sa HRET basin ipadala ni sa Manila (the HRET has taken cognizance of it, perhaps it will be delivered to Manila) for the recount or whatsoever kay didto raman sa congress ang hearing (since the congress hearing will be held there),” Sabio said.
The ballot boxes remain in the custody of the City Treasurer's Office until further orders from the HRET.
