FOLLOWING the dispute between two rival senior citizen leaders in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes sided with Dante Bercede—the brother of his political ally, Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede.

Cortes said on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, that Dante is the rightful winner in the Banilad senior citizen polls as the election that chose him had complied with the guidelines set by the federation of senior citizen presidents and duly noted by the City Council.

Buensocesa Yap, who had complained that Dante’s election was invalid, refused to comment on Cortes’ stand.

She is the mother of incumbent Banilad, Mandaue City Barangay Captain Greg Yap. She was initially declared as the winner of the first senior citizen association elections held in the barangay last Jan. 26.

The Yaps are allied with former Mandaue City mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing, the political rival of Cortes.

Buensocesa had questioned the validity of Dante’s victory since the election was held in Lover’s Lane, a private property.

Raul “Pokang” Cabahug, who claimed he is still the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (Osca) head, agreed with Buensocesa’s claim since it was stated on the guidelines that the synchronized senior citizen elections must be held in public places.

There were two senior citizen elections held in Banilad last Jan. 26, creating a confusion as to who between Buensocesa and Dante was the legitimate winner.

For his part, Dante said that he did not have an idea that there was a separate election happening at the Barangay Banilad Gym where Buensocesa was elected.

As to Cabahug’s status, Cortes said Cabahug is no longer the Mandaue City Osca head after he defeated Quisumbing in the mayoralty race in the May 2019 elections. Cabahug was appointed to lead the Osca during Quisumbing’s time.

Cortes’ executive secretary John Eddu Ybañez told SunStar Cebu that they did not recognize Buensocesa’s claim as the election held at the Banilad gym did not use official ballots and ballot box.

The canvassing of votes was not conducted by the Commission on Elections personnel, he said.

“The City Council have approved Lover’s Lane as the venue for the elections,” Ybañez said. (KFD)