Sunday, December 30, 2007 (Philippines)

Barangay Captain Joy Ouano (above, right) declares victory as reelected president of the Association of Barangay Councils in Mandaue City, but the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) says the election failed in that city, for lack of a quorum.(Sun.star photo/Alex Badayos) TWO factions held separate elections in the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Mandaue City yesterday, but neither group’s “winners” can assume office. Instead, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) declared a failure of elections, for lack of quorum, and further declared all ABC seats in that city vacant. Of the 27 barangay captains in Mandaue, 19 walked out of the room where they met in the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), after outgoing ABC president Joy Ouano announced that only 13 were qualified to vote. The rest, she said, had unpaid monthly dues and could not join. [full story]