COMELEC: Floating Ballot Box was stolen from municipal office

A ballot box, which contained election returns in the May 13 polls, was recovered in a swamp in Datu Salibo town.

The COMELEC, quoting Datu Salibo town municipal treasurer Ali Mamoribid, said the ballot box was actually stolen from the municipal office by still unidentified people.

However, Sam Zailon Esmael, the defeated mayoral bet of the town who posted photos of the ballot box on his personal Facebook account, said this is not possible.


Palanan said the box should have been kept by the municipal treasurer after the winning candidates were proclaimed.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

“Hindi pwedeng manakaw ‘yun kasi ang munisipyo naka-padlock. Ngayon ang COMELEC na ‘yan, hugas kamay ‘yan,” Esmael told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: That could not be stolen because the municipal office is padlocked. The COMELEC is just washing its hands.]

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

The COMELEC has insisted there was no fraud in the May 13 polls in the Maguindanao town.

The poll body said Ali Mamoribid, the municipal treasurer of Datu Salibo, claimed the ballot box was “stolen” from the municipal office.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

“Contrary to allegations made by Esmael and in the absence of any proof of fraud, Datu Salibo election officer Mary Ann Marohombsar maintains the conduct of the May 13 polls in her jurisdiction was fraud-free,” the Comelec said.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

Concerned election personnel are coordinating with Marohombsar to assist the Philippine National Police in its investigation.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

Local fisherman Modz Mindao found the ballot box at about 4 p.m. on Friday in a marsh at the back of the town hall. He quickly alerted his neighbors about his discovery, according to Esmael.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

Comelec records show that Datu Salibo has 9,504 registered voters, about 5,000 of whom participated in the elections.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

Solaiman Sandigan, the challenger for the mayoral post, was proclaimed mayor-elect by garnering 2,279 votes against reelectionist Mayor Norodin Salasal’s 1,147 votes.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

Maryann Marohombsar was the town election officer at the time of election and efforts to reach her for comments failed as of this posting.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

“Actions are now being taken to set the facts straight and hold to account those who are responsible,” the Comelec said.

Photo source via Facebook / Sam Zailon Esmael

For now, the ballot box has not been surrendered to the COMELEC and is being kept in a barangay hall in the town, Esmael said.

ALSO READ: Inglesia ni Cristo (INC) member, nag-message sa COMELEC! Boto ng INC, napunta lahat kay Robredo?

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This article first appeared on CNN Philippines, Philippine Star & Philippine News Agency