SC affirms La Union solon's victory in 2010 polls

The Supreme Court has affirmed the victory of La Union Rep. Eufranio Eriguel in the May 2010 automated elections.   In an en banc ruling, the high court dismissed the petition of defeated candidate Thomas Dumpit Jr. challenging the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) decision that denied his electoral protest for lack of merit.   In his complaint, Dumpit claimed that he lost to Eriguel due to supposed electoral fraud in the northern Philippine province, but  the HRET said it did not see any compelling ground to reverse its ruling on the matter. The HRET also said not enough evidence was presented to prove poll fraud in La Union in the 2010 polls.   The Supreme Court said the petitioner failed "to sufficiently show that any grave abuse of discretion was committed by the HRET in rendering the challenged decision and resolution which, on the contrary, appear to be in accord with the facts and applicable law and jurisprudence."   In the May 2010 automated elections, Eriguel beat Dumpit by 57,709 votes, or 121,236 votes over 63,622. – Mark Dalan Merueñas/KBK, GMA News