Barangay chief faces disqualification

CEBU, Philippines – For allegedly going within the 50-meter radius from polling precincts during election day, the incumbent barangay captain of Basak, Mandaue City is facing a disqualification case before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Felipe Diano, who lost in the race for Basak barangay captain by more than a hundred votes, filed the petition against re-elected Barangay Captain Vicente Dayanan.

Diano said in his complaint that Dayanan violated Section 29 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 9030 which states thatcandidates should stay away within a radius of 50 meters from the polling place.

Diano alleged that Dayanan appeared at the doorsteps of clustered precincts on October 25 at around 3 p.m.

He told The FREEMAN that Dayanan was accompanied by 10 barangay tanods in roaming around the vicinity of the polling places and even stretched out his hand to people at clustered precinct numbers 0151A and 0152A at the Basak Elementary School.

In a joint affidavit, Mercedez Diano, Rizalina Manatad, Rowena Mantalaba, Noel Franza, Rogelio Domingo, Rey Franza, Caluz Baldicantos, Aida del Valle, Carmelita Frasco and Daisy Mondarte, all residents of Basak, testified that Dayanan violated the rules.

Diano showed pictures that Dayanan and his companions were in the vicinity of the polling place to prove his claim.

He said that for his part, he and his supporters stayed 100 meters or more away from the polling place.

Diano said it was only the first in the many complaints they will file against Dayanan for election violations.

The FREEMAN tried to contact Dayanan to get his side but failed.

Romulo Quindao, who ran and lost for the post of barangay kagawad under Diano's slate, said the results were doubtful.

"Makapahibong jud kaayo nga straight gyud sila, tanan nakadaug unya karon pa kini nahitabo sa among barangay," Quindao said. (This is the first time that all members of a lineup won.)

Quindao alleged there was vote buying. Basak, Mandaue has almost 7,000 voters and only around 5,000 voted. (FREEMAN)