RTC terminates Isabela recount, up for decision

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The Regional Trial Court in La Carlota has terminated the revision proceedings for the recount petition of Joselito Malabor against Mayor Irene Montilla of Isabela, Negros Occidental.

RTC Branch 74 Presiding Judge Mila D. Yap-Camiso ordered both parties to submit their respective memoranda within a non-extendible period of 10 days from receipt of the order.

Lawyer Jomax Ortiz, counsel of Malabor, filed two manifestations with the court.

In the first manifestation, Malabor stated that it is waiving its right to contest the result of the voting for Clustered Precinct No. 45140029 of Barangay Guintubhan which was scheduled supposedly last July 31, 2019.

In the second manifestation, it is stated that protestant (Malabor) is no longer interested in contesting the results in the remaining 12 precincts.

“Considering the waiver of the revision for Clustered Precinct No. 45140029 of Barangay Guintubhan and that of the remaining clustered precincts were categorically and explicitly made by the herein protestant and there being no opposition in writing filed by the protestee, the same is hereby granted,” Yap-Camiso said in her order.

Malabor sought a recount of the election result where Montilla who was proclaimed winner after garnering 13,892 votes against the former’s 14,844 votes.

With or without the memorandum, Judge Yap-Camiso said the same will be deemed submitted for decision.