MANILA, Philippines – 24 hours have passed after the National Elections, majority of the local municipalities have already declared their winners. It really feels so great whenever the local board of elections raise the winning-candidates’ hands. After the sweat, blood and money spent during the campaign period, finally a taste of sweet triumph for the political victors.
It is so common to see a well-known and highly-favoured politicians win by landslide or huge margin, like people’s choice and un-officially presidential winner, Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte.
Winning by a slim margin is also ordinary in every election. Just like re-electionist Manila City Mayor Joseph Erap Estrada who has edged his arch-rival and former Mayor Alfredo Lim with just a little over 2,000 votes. But a tie in an election? It’s too close to being impossible! Sounds odd and crazy but true!
In Bocaue Bulacan, two mayoralty bets garnered the same amount of votes after the official automated counting and canvassing. Jim Valerio, an independent candidate had to face Eleanor “Joni” Villanueva of Liberal Party in a very unusual tie-breaker. Both protagonists gained 16,694 votes in the said town.
Deogracias Danao, the election officer in-charge of Bocaue informed the public that the election came into draw between Valerio and Villanueva. As per COMELEC rule, i.e. Resolution 10083; In case of a tie, a draw lots must be done in order to break it and determine the winner regardless of the position of the candidates who are running for government office. Instead of draw lots, both parties have agreed to do a “coin toss” as the tie-breaker and deciding factor.
At exactly 11:00PM, both Valerio and Villanueva sent their representatives to the local COMELEC office to witness the unusual rubber-match. Election Officer Danao used a 5 peso coin to determine Valerio and Villanueva’s political fate.
Joni Villanueva, sister of Joel “Tesdaman” Villanueva who’s currently in the 2nd place for the senatorial race picked the “tails” as her choice. Alas! After 3 consecutive flips, Tesdaman’s sister broke the tie and was proclaimed as the new Mayor of Bocaue Bulacan.
Watch: Joni Villanueva Wins the Mayoralty Seat via Coin Toss
Aside from this incident, way back in 2013, the same tie-breaker method was used in San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro between Marvic Feraren and Salvador Py. Feraren was declared the winner of the said coin toss.
Everyone knows that Sen. Bong Bong Marcos and Cong. Leni Robredo are neck and neck in the Vice Presidential battle. Less than 200,000 votes separate the two officials. Should they end-up in deadlock; will the coin toss matter be applied to them? It should because it’s the election rule. But, it’s not going to be easy, smooth and peaceful. What do you think?
--Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
It is so common to see a well-known and highly-favoured politicians win by landslide or huge margin, like people’s choice and un-officially presidential winner, Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte.
Winning by a slim margin is also ordinary in every election. Just like re-electionist Manila City Mayor Joseph Erap Estrada who has edged his arch-rival and former Mayor Alfredo Lim with just a little over 2,000 votes. But a tie in an election? It’s too close to being impossible! Sounds odd and crazy but true!
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| It’s a tie! Photo Credit: GMA News |
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| Left – Jim Valerio Right – “Tesdaman” with his sister and Bocaue Proclaimed Mayor Joni Villanueva |
At exactly 11:00PM, both Valerio and Villanueva sent their representatives to the local COMELEC office to witness the unusual rubber-match. Election Officer Danao used a 5 peso coin to determine Valerio and Villanueva’s political fate.
Joni Villanueva, sister of Joel “Tesdaman” Villanueva who’s currently in the 2nd place for the senatorial race picked the “tails” as her choice. Alas! After 3 consecutive flips, Tesdaman’s sister broke the tie and was proclaimed as the new Mayor of Bocaue Bulacan.
Watch: Joni Villanueva Wins the Mayoralty Seat via Coin Toss
Aside from this incident, way back in 2013, the same tie-breaker method was used in San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro between Marvic Feraren and Salvador Py. Feraren was declared the winner of the said coin toss.
Everyone knows that Sen. Bong Bong Marcos and Cong. Leni Robredo are neck and neck in the Vice Presidential battle. Less than 200,000 votes separate the two officials. Should they end-up in deadlock; will the coin toss matter be applied to them? It should because it’s the election rule. But, it’s not going to be easy, smooth and peaceful. What do you think?
--Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
