Comelec to hold special elections for Mt Province governor

SPECIAL ELECTIONS. Comelec chief Andres Bautista (right) with Cordillera Comelec Director Ederlino Tabinas (middle) and May Rachel Belmes, the Comelec officer for Abra.

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that it will hold special elections in the Mountain Province within the year following the death of its lone gubernatorial candidate in March.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said that Governor Leonard Mayaen, who died of a heart attack on March 31, has no political party so there is no one who can replace him in his uncontested bid for reelection.

“Wala siyang partido kaya hindi siya posibleng palitan ng kamaganak (He has no party, so he can't possibly be replaced by a relative),” Bautista said.

Bautista, who was in Baguio to meet with regional Comelec officials on preparations for the May 9 elections, said the date for the special elections will still be decided by the Comelec.

Reelectionist Vice Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, an independent candidate who is also running uncontested, had earlier taken his oath as Mountain Province governor.

Lacwasan, who is expected to be reelected as vice governor, will be acting Mountain Province governor until a new governor is elected. – Rappler.com