By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff Reporter
FORMER Laoag City Mayor Roger C. Fariñas has withdrawn his election protest
against incumbent Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas.
On October 9, 2013, Atty. Arthur Villaluz, Fariñas’ legal
counsel filed a Manifestation and Motion informing the Honorable Commission
that the protestant has decided not to pursue his protest anymore and withdraws
the protest against Chevylle V. Fariñas.
The motion stated that “He [Fariñas] believes he has
realized his purpose of uncovering the fraudulent manipulations that were
perpetrated during the May 13, election for the office of the mayor of Laoag
City to frustrate the will of the voters and ensure the victory of the
protestee”.
It added: “The protestant is grateful for the opportunity
accorded him by this Honorable Commission to lawfully ascertain the truth”.
Reacting to this, Ms. Fariñas said she considers this as
good news for the people of Laoag, especially those who supported her in the
May 2013 elections. She added that she respected and followed the process laid
down by the Commission on Elections about the case.
“Now that it has been withdrawn, I know a saan lang a siyak iti maragsakan no di
nang-nagruna dagidi tattao nga isuda iti puon ken gapu na nga adda kami nga
agser-serbi ita”, Ms Fariñas said.
Earlier, Laoag City election officer John Paul Martin
announced that 22 contested ballot boxes were delivered to the Comelec warehouse
in Manila on August 15. This was one of the requirements on the election
protest case filed by the former mayor against the elected mayor.
Martin personally accompanied the contested ballot boxes
from Laoag to Manila and all the ballot boxes were surrendered to the proper
Comelec officials there.
As of press time, however Martin said his office has yet to
receive any order from the Comelec Second Division advising them that the
protest has been withdrawn. He said though that he has already learned about
the withdrawal.
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