Emotional proclamation of winners in San Fernando
The proclamation of winners in San Fernando town was marked by loud tears and silent tears as Comelec calls for unity among leaders. | CDND PHOTO / Rosalie Abatayo
SAN FERNANDO, Cebu — After months of being daunted by gun violence against sitting officials, the proclamation of winning candidates in this town was perhaps one of the most emotional in Cebu.
Loud cheers reverberated within the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall where the canvassing of votes by the Municipal Board of Canvassers took place.
At around 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, the last precinct from Panadtaran Elementary School was finally able to transmit the result from over 700 voters.
The mother-and-son tandem of incumbent Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya and Ricci Regen Reluya were announced as winners for the mayor and vice mayor posts.
More than the raising of victorious hands, the most emotional scene in the proclamation ceremony was when Mayor Reluya and members of the council were made to hold together pieces of a heart-shaped cardboard symbolizing unity.
Acting Election Officer Mario Oville then urged the winning candidates to work together for San Fernando despite their diversity of being members of different political groups.
Mayor Reluya garnered 22,294 votes or a margin of over 6,000 votes against her rival in the mayoral post, Ruben Feliciano.
Ricci won by over 800 votes against vice mayoral candidate Abe Canoy.
Ricci garnered 19,094 votes against Canoy’s 18,132 votes.
Reelected San Fernando Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya said they will give the town a “fresh start and make it shine brighter that it is now. | CDND Photo / Rosalie Abatayo
Ricci replaced his father, slain Panadtaran Barangay Captain and Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Ricardo “Nonoy” Reluya in the bid for the vice mayoral post.
The older Reluya was among the three fatalities in the January 22 ambush against their group in Talisay City.
San Fernando gained notoriety after the series of violence that killed at least four officials.
The town was subsequently placed under the orange category of the election watchlist areas (EWAs).
Mayor Reluya, in an interview after the proclamation, said they will give San Fernando a “fresh start and make it shine brighter that it is now.” / celr
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