Cotabato City: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared lawyer Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi as the duly elected mayor of Cotabato City, prompting tension at city hall as incumbent Mayor Mohamad Ali 'Bruce' Matabalao refuses to vacate the post.
According to Philippines News Agency, Guiani-Sayadi shared on social media a copy of the Comelec Second Division's ruling, which declared her the winner of the May 2022 mayoral race after annulling results from 36 clustered precincts due to alleged fraud. The resolution stated that 'the election results in the 36 protested clustered precincts [were] irreparably tainted with irregularities and fraud that render the results devoid of probative value.' After the exclusion of the annulled precincts, Guiani-Sayadi reportedly led Matabalao by 5,254 votes.
Matabalao, however, said he remains the legally elected mayor and will continue performing his duties while exhausting all legal remedies. He confirmed receiving a copy of the Comelec Second Division's decision and vowed to file a motion for reconsideration. 'The decision is not yet final and executory,' Matabalao said. 'We respect the legal process, and I urge our supporters to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.'
Guiani-Sayadi, who is running again in the upcoming elections, echoed similar sentiments. 'We must remain calm, avoid speculation, and uphold the rule of law,' she said. The legal dispute arises just 19 days before the May 12 local elections, in which both Guiani-Sayadi and Matabalao are seeking the mayoralty post.
In a related development, a peaceful transition of power unfolded in Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, after a court declared Datu Armando Mastura Jr. as the rightful winner of the 2022 mayoral race. Veterinarian Dr. Zulficar Panda, who had served as mayor since June 2022, did not contest the ruling of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Cotabato City, which favored Mastura following an electoral recount. According to the court ruling, Mastura garnered 5,804 votes, narrowly edging out Panda's 5,796-a margin of just eight votes.
Armed with a writ of execution, Mastura took his oath of office on Wednesday before RTC Branch 15 Judge Anabelle Piang. He later proceeded to the Sultan Mastura municipal hall, where supporters welcomed him with cheers and chants. Both Mastura and Panda are running again for mayor in the upcoming local elections, under the same political party-the United Bangsamoro Justice Party of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
