Incoming Cordova mayor takes oath in private rite

CEBU, Philippines —  Cordova Mayor-elect Cesar “Didoy” Suan took his oath on Wednesday in a private ceremony attended only by family members and friends at Cordova Home Village.

The ceremony was administered by Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Francisco Ando Jr. Vice Mayor-elect Victor “Boyet” Tago III and the entire slate of Asenso Cordovanhon led by Suan also took their oath ahead of the start of their term of office on June 30.

Suan thanked his supporters and those who helped him during the election campaign.

“Looking forward nga magpadayon ang inyong support kay that is just one-fourth (¼) of the battle. Taas taas pa ta nga trabahoon. Within the journey, let us enjoy, let us accept all the sacrifices, let us accept the pains,” Suan said.

According to him, he is even anticipating a quarrel along the way from among his allies.

“Maglalis pa ta, there will come a time nga mag-away ta. But for the common denominator and common goal kinahanglan mag-abot ta. For one and only nga atong gusto ang pagpalambo ug pagpaasenso sa tagsa tagsa ka tawo sa Cordova,” Suan said.

Suan, an incumbent councilor, defeated outgoing Mayor Mary Therese “Teche” Sitoy-Cho in a hotly contested elections in the town on May 9, ending the over three decades dominance of the latter’s family. Suan garnered 21,222 votes while Cho only mustered 17,052 votes.

While winning candidates traditionally take their oath in the morning of June 30, Atty. Jerome Brillantes, acting Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor, sees nothing wrong in taking an oath early.

“Walay prohibition man ana. As long as… ang kuan ana nga dili ma vacuum ang power sa June 30… it’s okay for as long as mo assume sila inig 12 noon sa June 30,” Brillantes said. — Le Phyllis F. Antojado/FPL

CCPO cops reminded of Tiktok prohibition

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has put an emphasis on the prohibition of filming TikTok videos while wearing a police uniform.

Police Lt. Colonel Janett Rafter, deputy director for operations of CCPO, told the media Thursday that a memorandum was released way back 2020 which prohibits the posting of videos of cops in uniform especially in TikTok.

"Ako lang i-emphasize na atong memo for 2020 with regard to the use of social media nato labaw na sa TikTok, bawal sya nga kanang something nga maka degrade sya sa atong uniform sa police, nga mawalaag respeto pud," she said.

According to Rafter, the usage of TikTok and other social media outfits is not entirely prohibited in the sense that its content should only be limited to promotion of police works.

She added this is according to another memorandum issued in 2021 which allows usage of the TikTok app to promote social awareness, anti-criminalities, and programs of the Philippine National Police.

"As long as di sya maka degrade, or something that would erase respect sa atong uniporme," said Rafter.

She, however, added that so far in CCPO, no police personnel have been observed to have violated the issued memorandum.

"But this goes to everybody, sige na namong gi remind atong kapolisan sa Cebu City nga as much as possible we have other social media platforms na pwede natong magamit sa atong kaugalingong mga interest…ang kung pwede lang let us prohibit nalang sa paggamit nato sa TikTok," said Rafter.

Earlier, the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CCPO) chief also revealed that filming of TikTok videos is being discouraged among his personnel in the province.

Police Colonel Engelbert Soriano, CPPO director, told the media on Wednesday that although he hasn't monitored cops under his command doing this, he personally disagrees with cops dancing, especially filming it through TikTok videos.

"I actually discouraged my personnel from doing that at saka, alam naman ng lahat na may band kami sa CPPO pero wala kaming dance troupe, and I am personally against sa pag sayaw-sayaw ng mga police," said Soriano. — GMR (FREEMAN)