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Writer's pictureMenchie Kinao

Draw lots settle election ties in Abra; Comelec raises concern on ‘many’ unopposed bets


Abra, Philippines – Luck spelled victory or defeat for candidates in Abra who received the same number of votes during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.


As stated in the Resolution No. 9648 of Commission on Elections (Comelec) and in the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) or Batas Pambansa 881, the board of canvassers shall proceed to the drawing of lots to break the tie in cases where two or more candidates have received an equal and highest number of votes for the same position or for the last place in the number to be elected. Tossing of coins is also permitted.

The winning candidate through draw lots or toss coin shall be proclaimed as elected and shall have the right to assume office.


In Abra, BSKE bets in at least seven towns won through draw lots after garnering an equal number of votes.


In Barangay Nagtupacan, Lagangilang in said province, the two candidates for Punong Barangay initially proposed term sharing but after the electoral vote ended in a tie. However, the local Comelec did not allow such as the only resolution allowed is a tiebreaker through draw lots or toss coin.


Salvador "Louie" Claro who won the draw lots was later proclaimed as the duly elected Punong Barangay.


“I humbly offer reconciliation and let's join hands para ti nakappia ken panagdur-as ti barangay tayo. Agtalinaed koma ti kapia ken nadalos nga panagpuspuso ti tunggal maysa tapnu maaramid tayo ti pagsayaatan ti kabarangayan tayo,” Claro said.

‘Uncontested positions are not good sign of democracy’


Meanwhile, the Provincial Election Supervisor of Abra, Atty. Mae Richelle Belmes, observed that the latest village and youth polls are more peaceful compared to the previous elections she monitored. However, numerous candidates ran unopposed. This, she said, is ‘not a good sign of democracy.’


“There are so many positions which are not opposed, and I believe that, that one is not a good sign of democracy. Why? Kasi kahit pupunta yung mga tao, wala naman silang pagpipilian and I say that areas with uncontested or unopposed candidates, patay ang democracy,” she stated.


To recall, 250 BSKE bets, including 48 candidates for Punong Barangay, 88 for SB member, 24 for SK chairperson, and 90 aspirants for SK member, withdrew the certificates of candidacy weeks ahead of the elections.


Some withdrew to avoid facing disqualification cases due to relation to incumbent officials within the 4th degree of consanguinity, while some were said to have been forced to withdraw. The Comelec, however, cannot file any case as no complaints were submitted before the office.


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