Seniors dismayed as Poll, aid distribution held simultaneously

CEBU, Philippines - Senior citizens in Barangay Jagobiao were dismayed yesterday upon learning the distribution of P1,500 cash assistance from the city government was concurrently held with the election of officers for the Office of the Senior Citizens.

According to The Freeman's source, many of the senior citizens believed "politics" was behind the conduct of elections yesterday.

They alleged that "vote buying" took place the night before the elections up to early morning yesterday. The seniors were allegedly paid P200 to vote for a candidate who was allegedly an ally of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes.

The source, who requested anonymity, said the senior citizens in the barangay were being called to a meeting Tuesday evening and were allegedly instructed to vote Efren Estrada, who is reportedly connected with Mayor Cortes.

Estrada ran for president against Amanda Limbaga, a retired principal of the Leonardwood Elementary School in Barangay Jagobiao.

The source also said many of the senior citizens who came to claim their financial assistance were complaining because they were not feeling well. The source added the seniors also complained on having to line up for hours to get their aid.

"Gipahimuslan gyud intawon og ayo ang mga senior citizens. Giuna ang eleksyon kaysa pagpanghatag sa financial assistance. Wa na lang gyud nila lantawa nga kadaghan sa mga tiguwang dunay gipanghambin nga sakit ug gipanggutom ug hinuwat kon kanus-a makuha ilang financial assistance," the source told this paper.

It was also learned that the job order employees of the barangay did not report for duty yesterday as they were allegedly tasked to bring the senior citizens to the office to vote while other some of the JOs were tasked to monitor the election.

The Freeman tried to get the side of Mayor Cortes but the latter failed to answer the calls.