In the 2025 National and Local Elections in Barangay Masagana, Maguindanao del Sur, a grenade explosion at the polling precinct shortly after voting commenced forced the Board of Election Inspectors to immediately suspend the election. Only 198 of 2,450 registered voters had cast their ballots when the suspension occurred. Gregorio Valdez, the candidate with the highest number of votes among those cast, received 150 votes compared to his nearest rival's 48 votes. His rival petitioned the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to declare a failure of election and call a special election, arguing that the violence prevented a genuine expression of the popular will. Gregorio opposed the petition, arguing that a valid election had already taken place for those 198 voters who cast their ballots and a winner had been determined. Should the COMELEC grant the petition? (Bar 2026 Syllabus)