Naraja directed former Rep. Victor B. Hocog to pay Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola $10,046.25, and Ross S. Manglona to pay Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu $7,069.75.
Mendiola defeated Hocog by a vote of 547 to 498 while Manglona lost to Rep. Teresita A. Santos 604-695.
All Rota candidates in the 2009 elections ran as Independents.
No opposition was filed after the defendants submitted their attorney’s fees and costs.
Naraja ruled as “reasonable” the defendants’ calculation of fees and costs, and their attorney’s rates.
“This election contest was costly for Mayor Mendiola and Senator Ayuyu to vindicate their seats to office by virtue of a proper election result despite a recount. The order awarding attorneys’ fees now directs their compensation and we look forward to receiving the funds in defending the election,” said attorney Robert T. Torres in a statement.
Torres represented Mendiola.
Naraja affirmed the election results after a recount in Jan. 2010.
