As everyone knows, the results of the mayoralty and vice mayoralty positions held on May 10, 2004 were contested by the loosing candidates. The facts are Mayor Abad won by 207 votes and Vice Mayor Mendoza had a 9 vote margin over the Elaydos from a total of 23 precincts. The winners were proclaimed by the Comelec on May 11 and took their oath of office with the members of the Municipal Council on June 28. At present the Mayor and the Vice Mayor are holding office at the municipal hall dutifully attending to their functions and recognized by duly constituted authorities. This is in contradiction to rumors spread by the Elaydos and their rabid supporters that Mildred Elaydo has won the recount and has took over the position of the vice mayor.
Let us dwell on the vice mayoralty protest as the mayoral protest is a foregone conclusion. Mildred Elaydo contested 10 precincts and Vice Mayor Mendoza counter protested the 13 remaining precincts as a form of back up in case the first 10 precincts go awry. After the 10 ballot boxes of the contest proper were opened, the tally of the May 10 election remain undisturbed, meaning the number of votes by both contenders remain the same. Stray ballots are claimed by both sides, the Vice mayor claiming 12, Mildred has 2. Since there were no decays or significant findings that will alter the result, the vice mayor on the advise of his lawyer decided to waive his right to open the counter protested precincts. From there, the Elaydos started a disinformation drive and spread the rumor that the Vice mayor withdrew and Mildred was proclaimed winner by the judge.
For the information of all, the matter is far from the truth. The evidences gathered by both sides are enormous and to date the lawyers are still to submit their memoranda to the judge. Rebuttals are still to be done. In what stage are we now? In the latest hearing date held July 23, the lawyers set the hearing dates to present witnesses or whatever, for the protestant Mildred on the middle of August and for the protestee on middle of September. When will this be over? It depends on the lawyers. Mildred, with all her money, she can put to the witness stand handwriting experts and persons claimed to be bought. Their testimonies will prolong the proceedings but what is paramount is they can no longer alter the contents of the ballot boxes reflecting the will of the electorate.
Premature results are spreading like wildfire in San Esteban. The Elaydo followers play the role of the judge. Imagine, in an invitation on a wedding ceremony to be held Aug. 7 where the grooms’ father is an avid Mildred supporter, printed in the sponsors list is the name Hon. Vice Mayor Mildred Elaydo. This is a case of usurpation of authority. No person in his right mind will administer the oath of office of Mildred simply because the judge has not yet decided on the case. By the way, the grooms’ father admitting his wrong doing apologized to Vice Mayor Mendoza with the condition that he retrieves all the invitations and erases the offending title. He will likewise go on the air and make a public apology before the wedding date.
In any case, Vice Mayor Mendoza continues to function as the vice mayor, presides in the council session every Monday and tends on his constituents needs in his office. To bolster his held position, Vice Mayor Norman Mendoza was elected unopposed as President of the Vice Mayors League of the Province of Ilocos Sur. He is not just an ordinary vice mayor now but the Chief of all Vice Mayors, an extraordinary feat that Mildred may not achieved in ten lifetimes. 34 Vice Mayors and Governor Chavit Singson solidly backed Vice Mayor Mendoza. One more victory and a grand slam is in the making for Vice Mayor Norman V. Mendoza.
/:susan (S.A.E.)
