• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Two barangay kagawads and two other Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in Negros Occidental were among the more than 20 nationwide, whose proclamations as winners in the 2023 Barangay and SK Elections, were annulled by the Commission on Elections.
The Comelec En Banc released May 21 the 37 resolutions on various petitions in line with the Oct. 30 BSKE.
In Negros Occidental, the Comelec ordered to annul the proclamation of Crisalito Erisari Garcia as the 7th kagawad of Barangay VI (Hawaiian) in Silay City, and to proclaim Keelen Magallanes Escarilla as the rightful winning candidate.
Arlene Gargarita is also the 7th winning kagawad of Barangay Aguisan in Himamaylan City, instead of the previously-proclaimed Renan Pabalinas, the Comelec said, as it ordered necessary corrections in the Statement of Votes by Precinct and in the Certificate of Canvass of Votes.
The poll body also voided the proclamations of Reymark Deguitos and Anthony Ceballos as the 7th SK member of Barangay Orong in Kabankalan City, and of Barangay Pandanon in Murcia, respectively, adding that Jemuel Tamayo Palata and Christine Ortiz are the rightful winners.
Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, Comelec spokesperson, said in a statement that the resolutions include “the correction of manifest errors in the statement of votes and/or canvass of votes, the consequent annulment of previously-proclaimed candidates, and the resulting proclamation of the rightful winning candidates” in the BSKE last year. | CGC
