Mendiola actually trailed Hocog but was ahead of the other candidate, Steve K. Mesngon, after the votes here were counted.
Hocog had 362, Mesngon 251 and Mendiola 344.
The absentee votes, however, sealed Mendiola’s victory — he garnered 203, Hocog 136 and Mesngon 90.
The final unofficial tally: Mendiola 547, Hocog 498 and Mesngon 341.
Rota election supervisor Josepha Barcinas said of the total 926 ballot cast, only 887 were counted by the machine, 39 were considered “unreadable” because they had “overvotes,” or “unreadable markings.”
The rejected ballots were sent to Saipan where they were counted with the absentee votes.
In an interview, Mendiola said his administration is open to any suggestions, including from his opponents.
“I will ask them to continue to contribute for the welfare and betterment of our island. Our cooperation is necessary for the development of our economy,” he said.
Mendiola said Gov. Benigno R. Fitial called him to extend a congratulatory message.
Mendiola said his committee and other supporters will have to discuss who to support in the gubernatorial runoff between Fitial, who finished third here, and the GOP’s Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider.
Rota’s incumbent mayor, Joseph S. Inos of the Covenant Party, has already served two terms and can no longer seek re-election.
Turnout
Rota has 1,632 voters and Barcinas said the turnout was 98 percent.
“The conduct of election was very good,” she added.
The polling center at the NMC campus opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m.
The two ballot boxes from the campus arrived around 8 p.m. at the Rota airport, escorted by five Department of Public Safety vehicles.
The counting conducted in the airport’s arriving area started at 8:30 p.m., 15 minutes after the observers of the candidates were convened to witness the process.
During the counting of the ballots, the headquarters or residences of the candidates were filled with their supporters and food and refreshments were served.
Other races
For Rota’s two Senate seats, the results were: Jovita M. Taimanao 578, Juan M. Ayuyu 544, Joey Anthony Quitugua 489, Sen. Paterno S. Hocog 436, Norbert H. Mundo 215, and Calista T. Pendergrass 143.
All ran as independents.
For the island’s lone seat in the House of Representatives, Teresita A. Santos beat fellow independent candidate Ross S. Manglona 695 to 604.
Eleven vied for the three seats of the nonpartisan Rota Municipal Council. The winners were Arvin C. Ogo 657 votes, George O. Hocog 511 and Prudencio A. Manglona 459.
Peace and order
Department of Public Safety operation in charge Sgt. Ed Ayuyu said they received no complaints regarding the conduct of election on Saturday.
He said vehicles with political streamers and banners were not allowed to enter the polling center.
As early as 4:30 a.m. the police officers were already deployed at NMC to ensure a peaceful election, he added.
