MANILA -- Eufranio Eriguel, a doctor by profession, remained as representative of La Union's second district after the Supreme Court affirmed his victory in May 2010 automated elections.

In a recent full court ruling, the justices set aside the petition of defeated congressional candidate Thomas Dumpit Jr. challenging the decision of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) denying for lack of merit his motion for reconsideration.

The court said Dumpit failed to "sufficiently show" that any grave abuse of discretion was committed by the HRET in rendering the assailed decision "which, on the contrary, appear to be in accord with the facts and applicable law and jurisprudence."

The HRET, which also includes three SC justices as members, earlier rejected Dumpit's appeal on the December 1, 2011 ruling against his complaint.

In the decision, the HRET said Dumpit failed to present enough evidence that Eriguel cheated his way to victory.

Records show that Eriguel had winning margin of 57,709 votes after he garnered 121,236 votes as opposed to 63,622 votes for Dumpit. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)