DAVAO City First Congressional District candidate Maria Victoria “Mags” Maglana, despite conceding to presidential son and incumbent Representative Paolo Duterte, urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate election-related issues that occur during the May 9, 2022 polls.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, May 10, Maglana thanked her supporters who voted for her in her first political candidacy.
"Congratulations kina (I would like to congratulate) Rep. Pulong Duterte and others who are faring well based on the emerging and unofficial results," she said.
She said that scoring victory in the elections is important as this would serve as a foundation of the relationship between the candidate and the voter.
"Thus, it is important for both incoming leaders and citizens alike that election-related issues be investigated and resolved immediately," Maglana said.
Among the issues monitored during their poll watching efforts include that some found themselves "inexplicably" delisted and unable to vote in at least two voting centers, and yet the names of dead relatives or those who have not voted in the past 15 years could still be found in the precinct level lists.
Like in other places in the country, the candidate said that vote counting machines (VCMs) in at least two clustered precincts were defective and voters were advised to leave their accomplished ballots instead.
She also said a voter’s ballot was rejected by the VCM several times through no fault of hers.
"The voter left with no clarity as to what action will be taken by Comelec as regards her ballot," Maglana said.
In addition, despite clear guidelines, she said Electoral Boards (EBs) in some precincts in the three districts of Davao City refused to issue copies of Election Returns (ERs) to major political parties, claiming that they were instructed by Comelec not to furnish copies. There were even EBs who refused to allow photos to be taken of the ERs, she said.
"Strong institutions, such as credible elections that provide legitimate mandates to leaders and mechanisms that enable citizens to seek redress for grievances, are necessary for government to serve the people well," Maglana said.
"The just resolution of the above and other related elections issues will demonstrate that our political institutions are strong — and are continuously being strengthened — and work for the people and not just for the interests of a few," Maglana added.
Prior to her candidacy, Maglana had been serving local governments and communities through capacity building, technical assistance, direct support and has been involved in policy development and advocacy work to pass responsive legislation at the local, regional, and national level.
Duterte, the son of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, is currently leading in the congressional race, based on the May 10 Comelec transparency server partial and unofficial result with 211,872 votes. Maglana only placed second with 14,101 votes, followed by businessman Jamal Kanan with 1,361 votes, and Jovanie Mantawel with 641 votes.