Tie in Palawan town Mayoral Race to be broken by ‘Coin Toss’

It was intense as it was – the mayoral race in the municipality of Araceli in Palawan was a one-on-one.

Then the results of the election came, and the two candidates found themselves in a tie.

The election board of Araceli town in Palawan is set to preside Friday afternoon over a coin toss between two mayoral candidates who received identical vote counts at the conclusion of the poll canvassing.

After all the polling precincts had reported as of 6:34 pm Thursday, May 16, the canvass showed reelectionist Mayor Noel Beronio of PDP-Laban with 3,495 votes, and challenger former mayor Sue Cudilla of the Partido Pagbabago ng Palawan also with 3,495 votes.

Cudilla and Beronio are expected to undergo a “coin toss” – the manner by which electoral ties are settled, according to the Local Government Code.

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Based on the election code, when two or more candidates for the same position have received an equal number of votes, the board of canvassers shall proceed with the drawing of lots. Settling the deadlock by flipping a coin is also acceptable.

Beronio said he didn’t expect the fight would really be this close.

The reelectionist told Palawan Daily News they were awaiting the decision of the municipal board of canvassers on the schedule of the tiebreaking coin toss.

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The two had battled for the top town seat in previous elections.

In 2013, Cudilla defeated Beronio by a slim lead of 759 votes. In 2016, Beronio dethroned Cudilla with a lead of 19 votes.

Located northeast of mainland Palawan, Araceli is a 4th-class island town a population of over 14,000.

“Wala din po ako magawa kung yun ang naging resulta dahil naniniwala naman ako na maaring yan din ung naging kaloob ng ating Panginoong Diyos. About sa toss coin, well, pwede namin pag-usapan ang processo ng kabilang party (There Is nothing I can do if that is the result because I believe it could actually be God’s will. About the toss coin, well, both parties can just talk about the process),” Beronio said in a text message to the Inquirer.

The coin toss will happen around 3 p.m.

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Source: Rappler & Inquirer