Runnel “Boyet” Leynes was elected as the Barangay Captain of Barangay San Sebastian, Lipa City, via coin toss due to a tied number of total votes in the recently concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections last October 30.
Leynes garnered 770 total votes per the counting of ballots, together with Nwel Reinarht “Rein” Rocafort, a candidate running for Barangay Captain. Both parties agreed to determine the winner through a toss of a coin.
To break the tied tally of votes, Leynes placed the success of his candidacy on the head, and Rocafort on the tail before tossing the coin. Fate favored Leynes and became the newly elected Barangay Captain of the said barangay and had the right to assume office.
“Kinabahan ako [nung nag-coin toss] pero may kahalong tuwa at saya dahil nagbunga ang pagod at hirap [noong] panahon ng kampanyahan,” said Leynes.
In the election process, deciding the winner through a coin toss is considered legal as supported by Article XIX of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) Section 240.
“Candidates who may be favored by luck, and the candidates so proclaimed shall have the right to assume office in the same manner as if he had been elected by plurality of vote. The draw is preceded by proper formalities, such as a resolution by the board and at least five days prior notice to the candidates. The board shall then proclaim the candidate who had been favored by luck and issue a certificate to this effect,” enclosed in OEC.
Article by Bea Aguila
