CORDOVA Mayor-elect Cesar "Didoy" Suan welcomes the electoral protest that his rival, incumbent Mayor Mary Therese "Teche" Sitoy-Cho, will file against him before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In a press conference on Friday, May 20, 2022, Suan denied his rival's accusations that electoral fraud occurred during the local elections in their town on May 9.

Suan, who defeated the two-term incumbent mayor, urged Cho to substantiate her claims before the court.

"I am not frightened by her accusations because I did not do such things. Honestly, I am clean and my conscience is clear. We had a peaceful and honest election. We are ready and we will answer in a proper forum all the questions. If her (Cho) supporters will protest, we will welcome everything and we will work hand in hand to make Cordova better, to make Cordova what they have hoped for," Suan said, in Cebuano.

He added that his victory over Cho is not only his but that of all Cordova residents who have longed for change after so many years of being under the Sitoy family's rule.

"The people of Cordova have defeated Sitoy. And I am honored to have been chosen to be the person who will carry their voices through," Suan added.

Suan, an incumbent town councilor, was able to secure 21, 222 votes against Cho who only got 17,052 votes during the May 9 elections.

Aside from Suan, some members of his slate were also able to win during the last elections.

Suan's running mate, Boyet Tago, defeated incumbent vice mayor Ximgil "Em-Em" Sitoy, for the town's second top post.

Councilor candidates under Suan such as Jerome Lepiten, Larenz Lagon, Remar Baguio, Lemuel Pogoy and Chito Bentazal also secured seats in the municipal council. (JKV, CAL)