Lapu-Lapu City’s top two officials have expressed openness to work with the new leadership of the neighboring town of Cordova.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan and Vice Mayor Celedonio “Celsi” Sitoy told SunStar Cebu that they are open to working with Cordova mayor-elect Cesar “Didoy” Suan.
Suan, an incumbent first term councilor, defeated incumbent Mayor Mary Therese “Teche” Sitoy-Cho in the May 9 elections in Cordova, getting 21,222 votes to Sitoy-Cho’s 17,052 votes.
Chan said there is no problem working with the incoming administration, stressing they are like a “big brother” to their colleagues in Cordova.
“Yes, of course. No problem. Even before, we have been helping our fellow neighbors in Cordova. Most of our admissions at the Lapu-Lapu City Hospital are from Cordova,” Chan said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
He also noted that the people of Cordova passed through Lapu-Lapu City when going to other areas in Cebu when the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) was not yet completed.
“I think there’s no problem. We must work hand in hand,” he said.
But Sitoy, who is related to Suan’s rival, said it will depend on whether the new administration of Cordova will not go after the outgoing mayor’s people. Sitoy is Sitoy-Cho’s paternal uncle.
“I have heard rumors that the new administration plans to go after employees of the outgoing mayor and against businesses who are supporting the outgoing administration,” Sitoy added.
But Sitoy clarified that he wants to talk to Suan first before believing those rumors.
Though Chan’s relationship with Sitoy-Cho was cordial, Lapu- Lapu City’s past administration had moments of tension with Cordova’s leadership.
During her time as city mayor, Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Paz Radaza often butted heads with the late Cordova town mayor Adelino Sitoy on various issues.
In 2011, the two officials clashed when the late mayor proposed to transfer the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from Lapu-Lapu City to Cordova.
In 2012, the late Cordova mayor reportedly criticized Radaza for failing to implement proper garbage disposal in her city, an accusation that he later denied.