Hocog at the same time expressed gratitude to his supporters.
“I hope they are satisfied with the outcome as I pursued the concern that they wanted me to do,” he said.
On Thursday, the Commonwealth Election Commission, under the supervision of Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja recounted the Rota ballots.
The result reflected the tally last November: Mendiola, 547; Hocog, 498; and Steve Mesngon, 341.
All ran as independents.
Hocog said the law needs to be refined to ensure clean elections.
He reiterated that the Commonwealth Election Commission failed to conduct the polls on Rota in accordance with the law.
The absentee votes, for example, should be counted prior to the conduct of the general elections, he said.
A pre-election briefing should also be extended to those who will conduct the election so they will be guided accordingly, he added.
Hocog said his supporters still can’t understand how their votes were overtaken by the absentee ballots from Guam.
On Rota, Hocog received 362 votes while Mendiola garnered 344.
But Mendiola got 203 absentee votes compared to Hocog’s 135.
During the recount, Hocog said the atmosphere on Rota was “cool and calm.”
He said the new municipal administration should be given the opportunity to work with the people of Rota.
Hocog said for the benefit of the people, he is willing to extend any assistance to the new mayor, “if he needs it.”
