Former rivals patch up, run for different posts

CEBU, Philippines – For most, elections could drive a wedge between long-time friends and even cause rifts among families.

But not in barangay San Isidro, Talisay City where the candidate for barangay chief has struck up a friendship with the outgoing barangay chairman who she sued for alleged election fraud last 2007 barangay elections.

Marietta "Yeyen" Bucao and incumbent barangay chief Ma. Adelaida Restauro both showed up at the Commission on Elections--Talisay City last Sunday to file their certificates of candidacy as barangay chief and councilwoman, respectively.

Bucao, who ran against Restauro in the 2007 barangay polls, filed a complaint in the Municipal Trial Court in Cities of Talisay City against Restauro because Bucao allegedly did not play fairly in that elections.

Bucao, who is the wife of Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, lost the seat to Restauro with only a 14-vote margin.

After a recount, the MTCC declared Bucao the winner but Restauro refused to budge from her post.

Restauro's supporters at the time gathered at the barangay hall to stop Bucao from taking over.

In September 2008, the Comelec First Division upheld the MTCC decision and dismissed the motion to dismiss the election protest filed by Bucao, and declared her as the winner.

However, Restauro was able to secure a temporary restraining order stopping the execution of the court order. The protest reached Comelec Manila, but until now no decision has been reached.

For some reason, however, the two women have agreed to put a stop to the power struggle.

Restauro, wife of Provincial Board member Serrie Restauro, reportedly wants to help her husband in the Provincial Board the reason she has settled for a councilwoman position.

The husbands of the two women were in the same party in the May 10 elections, which could have been the reason why they have patched up.

Meanwhile, Bucao was just among the 22 administration-backed candidates for village chief who filed her COC last Sunday.

Among those who filed their COCs were Ricky Aznar of barangay Poblacion and Joy Tumulak of Lawaan I.

All of them were accompanied by their seven councilmen and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates.

Also last Sunday, candidates supported by the opposition camp filed their COCs. Heading the group was Councilwoman Fe Ylanan, wife of City Councilor Val Ylanan, as barangay chief of Linao.

Ylanan, who assumed the post last July after her husband vacated it, is battling against incumbent and last-term village chief Reynaldo Sedentario. Defeated City councilor bet Dory Emit is also running as barangay chief of Pooc. (FREEMAN)