Bontoc poll candidates break tie by tossing coin

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Two candidates in this capital town broke a rare tie in last week’s elections by tossing a coin in a show of sportsmanship in a country where poll disputes are often settled with violence.

After a count of the May 14 ballots, local election officials discovered that Bryan Byrd Bellang and Benjamin Ngeteg had tied for the final of eight seats on the council in Bontoc, elections supervisor Mary Umaming told newsmen.

"I asked them if they wanted to break the tie by tossing a coin or drawing lots, somebody in the crowd wondered if I was cracking a joke,” Umaming said.

“I said those options were in the rules, and they agreed to flip a coin,” she said.

Bellang, who chose heads, won the toss, which was held on May 15 in the local town hall.

“The candidates then sealed the agreement with a handshake, and the crowd erupted with applause,” Umaming said. “Election ties in the Philippines are rare, and many are unaware of the two options for resolving them under official rules.”

Provincial election supervisor Dennis Dimalnat hailed the peaceful resolution of the tie in Bontoc as a refreshing example.

"I hope others would see the beauty of this kind of peaceful resolution,” he said.

The congressional and local elections last Monday were marred by widespread violence. Police initially reported that more than 130 people had been killed since January in election-related violence, but later lowered that toll to 41, saying they were investigating whether the other deaths were linked to the polls.

Bontoc is a resort town known for its mountainside rice terraces and the Chico River which flows alongside it.