CEBU CITY, Philippines— The midterm polls are over, results have been counted and another set of political leaders have been proclaimed.
After months of preparations, series of campaign rallies and a string of controversial exchanges online and offline, three names emerged as the newly-elected chief executives of the highly-urbanized cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.
Jonas Cortes defeated Gabriel Luis Quisumbing in Mandaue City while Jonard “Ahong” Chan prevented Arturo “Boy” Radaza from taking on another opportunity to lead Lapu-Lapu City.
In Cebu City, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella succeeded in unseating incumbent Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
Jonas returns to Mandaue
Former Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes was the first to be proclaimed as winner reclaiming the position that he previously held before he became a representative of the Cebu’s sixth district.
Cortes won the elections by 101, 641 votes beating incumbent Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing, who only garnered 58, 842 votes.
By being back at the helm of Mandaue City’s leadership, Cortes encouraged members of the legislative department to interact more with the people in the barangays by holding sessions in the villages.
Quisumbing, on the other hand, accepted his defeat by “wishing the newly-elected officials the best.”
“I fervently hope that they will put Mandaue City Above themselves and bring the city to greater heights along with its people with whom they have sworn to serve,” Quisumbing said in an official statement.
Chan ends Radaza rule in Lapu
Crossing the bridge from Mandaue, the neighbouring island-city of Lapu-Lapu is given a new chief executive in Junard “Ahong” Chan, who is currently the chief of Barangay Pajo.
He was proclaimed as the Mayor-elect of Lapu-Lapu City early morning of May 14, Tuesday, defeating former mayor and former congressman Arturo “Boy” Radaza.
Chan won by 85, 976 votes, while Radaza earned 66, 108 votes.
Chan said improving the city’s facilities especially the public hospital and the public market is on his list of top priorities. He is also eyeing socialized housing for the city.
Chan said he will work closely with the city council to provide the Oponganons — the term used to refer to the people of Lapu-Lapu based from the old name “Opon” — with better lives and more improved public services.
Labella unseats Osmeña
In what is perhaps the most controversial face-off in the history of Cebu City’s political rivalry, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella unseated incumbent Mayor Tomas Osmeña following a high-tension campaign period characterized by accusations of police brutality, harassment and intimidation.
At 2 p.m. on May 14, Tuesday, Labella was proclaimed as the new mayor of Cebu City. Earlier in the day, Osmeña posted a message on his official Facebook account thanking his supporters for joining him in the journey.
Labella expressed his gratitude to the Cebuano voting public for choosing him to lead the city, saying that being mayor is not about power, it is about responsibility.
Labella denied allegations of vote buying.
“I will never do that and I have not done that,” he said.
As Cebu City Mayor, Labella said he will be working under a inclusive type of government” and added that he will even consult Osmeña on how to best run the city.
Labella won with 265, 436 votes, edging Osmeña who garnered 246, 399 votes.
The public now awaits the beginning of the leadership of these newly-elected officials and see if they would really fulfil their promises of improving the quality of lives of the people in the respective cities. / celr
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