COMELEC — taking into account the September 10, 2019 Supreme Court ruling on the South Cotabato case (Vice Mayor Shirlyn L. Bañas-Nograles, et al. Vs. Commission on Elections) — adopted the recommendation of its legal department to direct the Special Provincial Board of Canvassers for the Province of Southern Leyte to count the votes cast in the May 2019 elections. Roger Mercado was certified as the duly elected representative on December 16, 2019 by the Southern Leyte Provincial Board of Canvassers, and took his oath as the representative of the Lone Congressional District the next day. The 1st and 2nd districts began electing their own representatives starting from the 2022 elections. 1st District City: Maasin Municipalities: Bontoc, Limasawa, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos, Tomas Oppus Population (2020): 201,421 2nd District Municipalities: Anahawan, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Liloan, Pintuyan, Saint Bernard, San Francisco, San Juan, San Ricardo, Silago, Sogod Population (2020): 228,152 Lone District (defunct) Population (2015): 421,750 Notes At-Large (defunct) See also Legislative districts of Leyte References Southern Leyte Politics of Southern Leyte