Court dismisses election protest vs Sigma mayor

By Felipe V. Celino

A local court has dismissed the election protest filed by former mayor and losing mayoral candidate Christopher Andaya against Sigma Mayor Dante Rizal Eslabon over the May 12, 2025, midterm elections.

In a decision dated March 2, 2026, the Regional Trial Court, Branch 21, in Mambusao, Capiz, said Andaya failed to submit documents to support the protest he filed May 22, 2025.

In his 43-page ruling, Judge Rommel Leonor said that even if the Commission on Elections allowed a recount in the protested clustered precincts and 56 votes were credited to Andaya, it would still not be enough to overtake Eslabon.

Andaya questioned the results from two clustered precincts in Barangay Cogon and Barangay Pinamalatican.

Election results showed Eslabon received 9,884 votes, while Andaya got 9,778, a margin of 106 votes.

Eslabon was proclaimed the winner by the Municipal Board of Canvassers.

Andaya alleged irregularities during the election and cited possible negligence and misconduct by election officials.

Election protests are filed to challenge proclaimed results and can involve recounts and a review of election documents, with outcomes dependent on whether the protest can change the winning margin.