Thursday, June 14, 2007 Mandaue City lost, not Jonkie: Teddy
FOR outgoing Mandaue Mayor Thadeo “Teddy” Ouano, his son’s defeat in the May 14 polls only showed that the people refused what he had to offer.
“Jonkie did not lose. Mandaue did,” Ouano said in his first interview with beat reporters since the Office of the Ombudsman put him under preventive suspension last March.
Teddy said he was frustrated with the turn of events, saying many didn’t realize how many projects he has implemented. He said Jonkie would have continued these had he won.
But Teddy admitted that the allegations regarding the overpriced lampposts hurled against him took a toll on Jonkie’s mayoral bid.
Credit for projects
Jonkie, in a separate interview, said his father only expressed the common fear that credits for certain projects might be given to the administration that didn’t initiate it.
Teddy delivered his end-term report last Tuesday night at the Cebu International Convention Center, where Vice Mayor-elect Carlo Pontico Fortuna of Mandaue City and eight of his partymates who won as councilor took their oaths of office.
Councilors-elect Alfonso Albańo Jr., Beethoven Andaya, Noeleen Borbajo, Victor Biańo, Editha Cabahug, Emiliano Rosal, Procopio Villanueva and Jefferson Ceniza landed in the top 10 slots for councilor.
With their families behind them, each elected official swore before Regional Trial Court Judge Ulrich Cańete to uphold the interest of their constituents.
But the councilor with the highest number of votes, Diosdado Suico, is from the rival party.
Suico, whose last stint in the City Council was more than 10 years ago, won together with Bakilid Barangay Councilor Jimmy Lumapas.
Suico and Lumapas are scheduled to take their alongside Mayor-elect Jonas Cortes on June 30.
With a three-year mandate ahead, the officials were reminded by former mayor Alfredo “Pedong” Ouano last Tuesday night not to be members of the “committee on silence.”
With his trademark jokes and wit, the former mayor encouraged the officials to speak up in the City Council so the people won’t regret voting for them.
Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, for her part, also encouraged the elected officials.
Fortuna, in his welcome remarks, thanked the Ouano family for their support. He said that even if Jonkie lost, the Ouano family was still there for the other party members.
But Fortuna said that as they assume their functions as councilors, their loyalty will be with the people of Mandaue.
Jonkie was among those seated in front and he was all smiles as his party mates went up the stage to take their oath of office.
Jonkie, Pedong’s grandson, said in an interview after the ceremony that he recovered two days after his defeat.
He said he was happy for his partymates who won.
“This shows we never left anyone behind,” Jonkie said, adding that it would be likely he wouldn’t be in politics in the next six years. (AAG)
