By Charlie Señase
Inquirer Mindanao Bureau

COTABATO CITY–After almost five months of waiting, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has finally proclaimed three winning candidates in this year’s gubernatorial race in Shariff Kabunsuan province.

In July, Governor Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) appointed provincial officers-in-charge while waiting for the Comelec’s proclamation of winning bets.

The proclamation was delayed by the election protest lodged by opposition gubernatorial bet Tocao Mastura and his partymates.

Mastura has been contesting the lead of administration rival Bimbo Sinsuat, citing fraud.

“There is a pending petition for correction of manifest error filed by the candidates of NPC [Nationalist People's Coalition],” said De Mesa.

In appointing officers-in-charge, Ampatuan said the absence of Comelec-proclaimed winners would create a vacuum in the provincial government and would affect delivery of services.

Jocelyn de Mesa, chairperson of the provincial board of canvassers, officially declared Vice Governor Ibrahim Ibay and Board Members Sinarimban Ambolodto and Jojo Limbona winners in the May 14 polls.

De Mesa said the proclamation of the three winning candidates would not alter the outcome of the pending case.

“If the errors will be corrected, there will be changes in the ranking, but I was safe in proclaiming at least number 1 and 2 because they will never be removed from this position,” she explained.

De Mesa said she was hoping that the complete set of winners in the May 14 polls would be out soon as the Mastura-Sinsuat case was in the process of being resolved by the Comelec en banc.

“In due time, we will have to proclaim the other winning candidates,” De Mesa said.

By the law of succession as provided for in the Local Government Code, Ibay will have to act as acting governor while Board Member Ambolodto with the highest number of votes will temporarily hold the vice gubernatorial post, De Mesa said.