Bayambang poll results under protest by couple

By Liezle Basa Inigo

BAYAMBANG, Pangasinan — A regional trial court (RTC) has been asked to set aside the proclamation of the mayor-elect and vice-mayor-elect of this town amid a protest against the election results.

Outgoing Mayor Ricardo Camacho of this town, who ran unopposed in 2013 and gunned for the position of vice mayor; and his wife Zenaida, who campaigned for mayor, are contesting their respective losses in May 9’s elections.

Mayor Camacho (24,511 votes) lost his bid for vice mayor against Renato Sabangan (27,746 votes) by a marching of over 3,000; while his wife Zenaida (19,946 votes) lost her bid to replace her husband as mayor against Sabangan’s running mate, businessman Cezar Quiambao (31,946 votes) by a margin of over 12,000 votes.

Not convinced that they lost the election, the Camacho couple claimed that there were alleged irregularities and discrepancies in the electoral process and asked the San Carlos City RTC to have the ballot boxes opened for a manual count.