HIGHEST COURT. File photo of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
Photo by Mark Z. Saludes
'For local elective positions covered by the Local Government Code, that vacancy is filled through the rule on succession, not by proclaiming the second placer as the winner,' the High Court reiterates
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has upheld its decision to abandon the 'second placer rule' in local elections, which allowed the runner-up to be declared the winner if the top candidate was disqualified.
The Court emphasized that only the candidate with the highest number of votes is recognized as elected, and that vacancies in local positions should be filled by the vice governor, in accordance with the Local Government Code.
