Tacloban City (May 13) -- The hotly contested gubernatorial and congressional elections in the province of Biliran becomes hotter even as the winners have already been proclaimed.

On May 1, the winners, Governor Roger Espina as congressman-elect, and former Congressman Gerardo Espina Jr as governor-elect, were proclaimed by the Biliran Board of Canvassers.

Reports coming from PIA Biliran showed that some 4,000 Biliranons from the eight municipalities of Biliran province assembled at the Naval Cathedral compound and in the street fronting the church as they prepared to demonstrate their protest against the winning of all candidates lined up with the Espinas here to include incumbent Gov. Rogelio Espina who ran as congressman against re-electionist Congressman Glenn Chong of the lone district of Biliran.

The protesting Biliranons attended a mass at the said church before marching towards the provincial capitol at about 11am today, March 12, 2010 where the provincial canvassing of ballots took place at the SP building.

At the capitol compound, the rallyists prayed the holy rosary for "God?s intervention that the true results of the elections in Biliran will prevail."

The rallyists brought with them plackards denouncing the result of the elections and demanding that manual recounting be done.

They also prevented the capitol employees from going out of the compound without undergoing body search to check if they did not carry any election documents and paraphernalias out that could highten their suspicion of election cheats.

At 6:00 o?clock in the evening, the rallyists with lighted candles prayed the rosary again as they kept vigil until tomorrow.

Close to 50 policemen were at the vicinity of the capitol compound with the presence of PNP Provincial Director Wilson Caubat to secure the place for any eventuality.