A COIN toss determined the top-ranking municipal councilor in Solano after two candidates, Clifford Tito and Thomas Dave Santos, ended in a dead heat in the May 12, 2025, midterm elections.
Both candidates received an identical 13,451 votes, triggering a unique resolution under Section 240 of the Omnibus Election Code.
This section allows for games of chance, such as drawing lots or a coin toss, to break ties in election results. The coin toss was conducted publicly before the Municipal Board of Canvassers and election officials, with both Tito and Santos agreeing to the process.
The coin landed in favor of Thomas Dave Santos, officially crowning him the top-ranking councilor for Solano.
This victory holds significant weight, as the Local Government Code stipulates that the highest-ranking member of the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) serves as acting mayor or vice mayor in the event of the incumbent officials’ absence or incapacity.
The unexpected resolution highlights the incredibly close race and the unusual circumstances that can arise in Philippine elections. The coin toss, while unconventional, provided a fair and transparent method to resolve the tie, ensuring a clear outcome to the election.
