Sour loser?

The election of the officials of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Cebu City was marred by the walkout by Mabolo Barangay Captain Prisca Niña Mabatid and the 27 barangay captains who supported her. Mabatid called it a “boycott,” whatever that means.

Days before the election, Mabatid bragged that the Office of the President asked her to run for ABC president and that she had the numbers, the reason why she decided to file her certificate of candidacy and run against Kasambagan Barangay Captain Franklin Ong, the chosen one of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), the party of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

The walkout or “boycott,” as Mabatid described it, was uncalled for. She started the word war against Mayor Tomas but her effort suddenly fizzled out. Many considered Mabatid as someone who could stand up against a city mayor like Mayor Tomas. But Torni Frank described Mabatid as “nikakak” (chickened out) during our “Frankahay Ta” radio program yesterday morning over dyCM (1152AM).

Mabatid’s boycott was actually a face-saving mechanism after she found out that Ong had the numbers to win. Instead of being declared losers, she and her supporters chose not to vote. Perhaps, Mabatid was advised that if they walked out the election could not be held.

Out of the 80 barangay captains, 53 voted, with Ong receiving 51 votes (two barangay captains opted not to vote). Mabatid got zero. Had Mabatid and her group voted, she would have known who among the barangay captains truly supported her.

Whatever Mabatid will say after the elections would just be a waste because former ABC president Phillip Zafra, who conducted the polls together with officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), said that the election was valid.

According to a source, Mabatid was promised by someone in government that the results of the ABC election would be nullified. As to how that would be done. only they know. What is certain is that the boycott disadvantaged Mabatid and her group.

While the ABC election in Cebu City was intense and hotly contested, that in Mandaue City was the exact opposite even if the reelection bid of Subangdaku Barangay Captain Ernie Manatad was contested by Banilad Barangay Captain Greg Yap. Manatad got 14 votes while Yap had 13 votes. There are 27 barangays in Mandaue City.

To recall, 14 barangay captains and officials were inducted into office by Rep. Jonas Cortes, while 13 barangay captains and officials were sworn in by Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing. Could the result of the ABC polls prod Congressman Cortes to run against Mayor Quisumbing in next year’s midterm elections?

In Lapu-Lapu City, Bangkal Barangay Captain Eduardo Cuizon won hands down. He was proclaimed ABC president because nobody ran against him. Meanwhile, Cayang, Bogo City Barangay Captain Celestino “Tining” Martinez III was reelected ABC Cebu Federation president by 49 out of 50 votes cast.

Martinez’s opponent, Daanbantayan Barangay Captain Mark Anthony Luche, allegedly failed to reach the Social Hall at the Capitol where the election was conducted. As to why Luche failed to make it was not explained.