The month-long recount of the contents of 311 ballot boxes containing the contested votes in the electoral protest of Silay City mayoral candidate Jose "Oti" Montelibano by the Comelec revision committee, ended yesterday with Mayor Carlo Gamban leading.

Gamban said he won over Montelibano by 347 votes.

Montelibano, a businessman, had protested 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.

Comelec records show that Gamban had 19,762 votes against the 19,415 of Montelibano, Rodney Rubica, counsel of Gamban, said.

The Comelec revision committee chaired by lawyer Cristine Abad is expected to make a report of their findings for submission to the Comelec First Division, which will evaluate and make a final decision, Rubica said.

In the May 2004 canvassing, Gamban was ahead by 354 votes against Montelibano, his closest rival. A difference of seven votes was shown in the recount, he added.

Montelibano could not be reached for comment as of last night. But he had earlier claimed victory in the initial recount of the contested ballots.

Even before the start of the recount, Gamban had said he was optimistic that the result will be almost the same as in the May 2004 canvassing.

The recount held at the Comelec central office in Manila started March 29.

Gamban said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring support of Silaynons, despite what he calls repeated attempts of his detractors to mislead the people of Silay.

He also reiterated his call for his opponents and detractors to be united in making Silay more progressive, even if they are identified or belong to different political parties.*GPB

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