Five of the 27 reelected and newly-elected barangay captains of Mandaue City together with the barangay councilmen and elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials of the city affiliated with 6th district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz and former Mayor Thadeo Ouano took their oaths yesterday afternoon at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
The five barangay captains affiliated with the Ruiz-Ouano camp who took their oath of office yesterday were Umapad barangay captain Zaldy Lumapas, Vicente Damasian Jr. of Cambaro, Aquilino Cabahug of Alang-alang, Restituto Villanueva of Tipolo and Dario Tarriman of Tabok.
Yesterday’s oathtaking ceremony was administered by Senate President Manny Villar.
The ceremony was witnessed by Ruiz, former Mandaue City mayor Thadeo Ouano and his father Alfredo Ouano, who is also a former mayor, eight city councilors affiliated with the Ruiz-Ouano camp and their supporters.
In her speech yesterday Ruiz said barangay officials have nothing to fear from her because she will not refuse help even to officials not allied with her administration.
But she also told those already in her camp not to jump ship.
“Way tamblingay ha? Pag-sure mo, bantay ug mo-tumbling mo,” Ruiz said.
She also said that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia also told her to inform the Mandauehanons that she is also willing to help the barangay officials of the city. — Flor Z. Perolina/BRP