Election officials declared a village chairperson aspirant here as winner via drawing of lots after he and his rival obtained equal number of votes on Monday. Cotabato City Election Officer Norpaisa Paglala Manduyog administered the ‘drawing of lots’ to determine who will assume as the new village chair of Barangay Rosary Heights 3 after both candidates, Sukarno Utto and Omar Pasawilan, earned 997 votes. ‘This is allowed by law,’ Manduyog said, adding that a ‘special election is not an option.’ Manduyog said the electoral board conducted the lots in the presence of candidates and the media to avoid speculations of cheating. Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao, Cotabato City PNP Director Col. Querubin Manalang Jr., Bangsamoro Free Election Movement at Media, witnessed the drawing of lots, held around 3:30 p.m. at the Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School. Pasawilan leaped as he was proclaimed winner, while Utto, visibly stunned, accepted his fate without saying a word. Pasawilan hugged him as they parted ways.

Source: Philippines News Agency