Regional Trial Court Branch 164 Presiding Judge Anna Lea Mendoza ruled Tuesday morning, March 3, Noel Beronio and not Sue Cudilla was the winner of the mayoral seat of Araceli, Palawan in the 2019 Elections.
Beronio, the court ruled, earned 3,502 votes against Cudilla’s 3,498 votes after a manual recounting of election returns from the two barangays that was conducted last February 5 and 6 of this year.
Beronio said that he is very thankful and happy with the result that only proves that he really won in the last elections and the people in Araceli chose him to be their leader.
“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa naging resulta ng ating protesta dahil tayo po ang nanalo kahit dumaan tayo sa mahabang proseso, eh talagang hindi natin pwedeng isantabi ang kagustuhan ng ating mga botante sa Araceli,” Beronio told Palawan Daily News in an interview.
But even he was favored by the court after the recount, Beronio has to file the motion for execution and wait for the final decision of the higher court and the proclamation to be made by the Comelec itself.
“Marami pa pong proseso tayong gagawin tulad ng ‘pag na-grant na ng korte ang ating motion, ipapaalam pa ito sa DILG, Commission on Audit at Comelec para ipaalam na tayo ang totoong nanalo at para ma-proclaim na tayo at ang bagong uupo bilang alkalde ng Araceli,” he explained.
And as he was proclaimed as the new town mayor, Beronio will continue to implement his previous projects and programs in Araceli.
“Marami tayong naiwan na programa kaya ipagpapatuloy lang natin ito lalo na ‘yung peace and order, basic services, agricultural programs, improvement ng water facilities, pagpapaayos ng ating municipal hall at marami pang iba,” said Beronio.
Meanwhile, despite of what had happened, Beronio believes that this is only a matter of politics and the welfare of the people of Araceli should not be set aside instead be the top priority.
Meanwhile, in a separate interview with Mayor Cudilla, she said that she will not give any statement at the moment but she confirmed that they are working to file a protest.
“Wala muna ako statement sa ngayon, pero definitely, we will file a protest,” Cudilla said.