The trial court earlier declared the Covenant Party’s mayoral candidate Ramona Taisakan Rebuenog as the winner of the race, edging her independent opponent Tobias Dela Cruz Aldan by two votes, 64-62.
The justices will look into the “illegal voters” included in the total tally, and Rebuenog’s eligibility as a candidate and voter.
Yesterday, Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan, Associate Justices Alexandro C. Castro and John A. Manglona heard oral arguments from attorney Robert T. Torres, who represented Aldan, and Richard W. Pierce, Rebuenog’s counsel.
Torres said of the 18 votes disqualified as challenged by Rebuenog, five were “illegal and incredible voters.”
But he said their votes were not deducted from the total tally.
He also pointed out that Rebuenog was ineligible as a candidate and as a voter because she lacks the three-year residency required by law.
Pierce reiterated that Rebuenog was the winner for garnering the most legal votes.
Rebuenog was not present in the courtroom. Aldan, his daughter, relatives and supporters attended the hearing.
Superior Court Associate Judge David Wiseman last month declared Rebuenog as the Northern Islands mayor after disqualifying 18 voters who cast their ballots during the Nov. 7 elections.
Rebuenog sued Aldan and the election commission after the general elections.
The initial tally was 69 to 68 in favor of Aldan.
