The recount of 311 ballot boxes containing the contested ballots in the electoral protest of Silay City mayoral candidate Jose "Oti" Montelibano, has started.

Rodney Rubica, counsel of Mayor Carlo Gamban, yesterday described the revision process, which started March 29, as "very orderly".

At a rate of 16 ballot boxes being subjected to revision a day, including Saturdays, Rubica said they expect the recount to be completed within the third week of this month.

Elated by the recount which he had sought, Montelibano said "It's worth every second of our perseverance".

Montelibano is protesting the election and proclamation of Gamban on grounds of what he claimed were massive vote padding, misappreciation and misreading of votes, and substitution of voters, among others.

Gamban dismissed the claims of Montelibano as baseless.

Rubica said the recount is being supervised by four Comelec revision committees, and their assessment reports will be forwarded to the Comelec First Division for appropriate action.

He added that they are confident that the results will remain the same.

Montelibano had deposited P286,183 to defray expenses for the revision of the protested precincts and other incidental costs. Rubica said all the contested ballot boxes were placed in a room enclosed by iron grills, which is within sight of both parties.

Comelec records show that Gamban had 18,019 votes against 17,736 of Montelibano.*GPB

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