SHE has less than three weeks left on her term, but Diosminda Hayashi has just been declared the rightful captain of Barangay Punta Engaño in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has declared Hayashi the winner of the October 2013 barangay elections over Lourdes Ibag. A recount triggered by her election protest showed that Hayashi had defeated Ibag by some 150 votes.

As of Wednesday, Hayashi was waiting for a writ of execution from Judge Alwen Paqueo of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 in Lapu-Lapu City.

“It’s OK. At least, I was able to show that I really won,” Hayashi said. She also said she would trust the police to keep the transfer of power from Ibag to herself peaceful and orderly.

Ibag said she would step down once she sees the Comelec’s ruling. She thanked her constituents for supporting her through three terms as Punta Engaño’s village chief.

“Tarungon lang niya pag-serbisyo sa katawhan ug pagdumala sa barangay (I hope she will serve the people and run the barangay well),” she said of Hayashi.

Hayashi is running for barangay captain this May 14, while Ibag is running for a seat in the barangay council as part of aspiring village chief Crisanto Baring’s ticket. (FVQ)