Negros Oriental has new governor

The Commission on Elections resolved a months -long petition in favor of defeated 2022 gubernatorial aspirant Roel Degamo in Negros Oriental as the poll body moved to nullify the election victory of incumbent Governor Henry Teves.

The poll body disclosed that it declared with finality that Degamo's almost-namesake, a certain Ruel Degamo, was a nuisance candidate as the en banc voted 3-2, with three members voting to uphold the resolution of the Comelec Second Division and deny the motion for reconsideration and two members voting to grant the motion.

In a 4-page writ of execution signed on Tuesday, the poll body ordered the Special Provincial Board of Canvassers to nullify Teves' proclamation as Negros Oriental governor and credit the votes obtained by Ruel Degamo in favor of the former governor.

The poll body also ordered the SPBOC to amend or correct the Certificate of Canvass based on the Amended Statement of Votes per precinct.

Comelec data showed that Teves garnered a total of 296,897 votes, followed by "Roel" Degamo with 277,462 votes, and "Ruel" Degamo with 49,039 votes and with the poll body's order, the 49,039 votes garnered by the nuisance candidate will be credited in favor of Roel Degamo which is enough to take the lead in the race over Teves.