The Bais City Board of Canvassers will resume the canvassing of the remaining election returns tomorrow, at the Commission on Election Oriental Negros office in Dumaguete City.

Acting provincial election supervisor Eddie Aba said his office received a resolution from the Commision on Elections Division last Friday to resume the canvass the election returns from Bais.

The resolution states that the protest is dismissed on the grounds that there was no appeal filed at the COMELEC first Division. The Bais BOC will therefore reconvene and proceed with the proclamation of winning candidates. The canvass of votes in Bais was stopped after mayoralty candidate Francisco Villanueva filed a protest against the support staff of the member of the BOC.

He alleged that the staff are not teachers but casual employees of the Bais City government.

Aba said they hope to finish the canvassing the soonest since they still have to canvass around 170 out of the 234 ERs.

Aba said the result of the canvassing of votes is crucial because it might affect the votes for senatorial candidates Pimentel and Zubiri fighting for the 12th seat.

The results, though, will not affect other elective positions in the province.

Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government will have to appoint a temporary care taker to manage Bais City until COMELEC proclaims a winner.*MA

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