#PHVoteWatch: Luck to decide new Bocaue mayor

MANILA, Philippines – Millions of Filipinos trooped to the polls on May 9 to elect their local leaders, but for one town in Bulacan, the local mayor will be decided by tossing coins. 

In Bocaue, two mayoralty candidates drew coins after getting an equal number of votes. 

Liberal Party bet Joni Villanueva won the toss coin with opponent Jim Valerio. They both garnered 16,694 votes in the 2016 elections. (READ: Local election results in Bocaue, Bulacan)

According to Comelec’s rules, the winner can be decided by a coin toss or by drawing lots. 

The Comelec will call a special meeting with the two candidates to draw lots. The winner of the draw will become the mayor. 

Similar ties were settled by coin tosses in the past. 

Bizarre

Netizens took notice of this bizarre turn of events.

Naloka ako sa bocaue. mayoral race ended up with a tie. and they decided na mag draw lots for the for the tie breaker. Wait what!? haha

— JD’s Charriol Bebes (@CharriolBebe) May 10, 2016

Funny, but our next mayor here in Bocaue will be decided by a coin toss. Isn’t that jurassic?

— Dave Coros (@davecoros) May 10, 2016

On the other note, nagtie daw ang mayor sa Bocaue, so, toss coin daw ang mangyayari. Nakasaad ba ‘to sa batas? Explain it to me @miggymigx

— EB Babe Wendy (@wendellitow) May 10, 2016

Some were simply amazed:

So this happened:

Bocaue, Bulacan Mayoralty race ends up in a literal tie at 16,694 votes each for the two contenders.

— Stephen (@steeeeepheeeeen) May 10, 2016

Coin toss for mayor in Bocaue , Bulacan . Wow! Magpapafireworks ang mananalo . Lol

— Andreiiiiiiiiiii (@ThePascoDrei) May 10, 2016

Wow. Toss coin bukas para sa Mayor ng Bocaue.

— AJ Rueda (@alfredjuanrueda) May 10, 2016

 

There are 58,181 registered voters in Bocaue, Bulacan, according to the Commission on Elections. 

The third and final candidate, Jonjon Santiago, got 14,971 votes.  – Rappler.com 

 Basil Mencias is a Rappler intern.