Opponents of the proposal to split barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City have reason to celebrate.
Early partial results of yesterday’s plebiscite showed that majority of the residents voted to keep the barangay intact.
As of 9:45 p.m last night, the “no” votes led with 8,107 votes over 3,990 “yes” votes.
By 5 p.m., former congressman Antonio Cuenco who campaigned for the split conceded defeat.
“We will bow down to the decision of the people. It looks like the ‘No’ votes will win,” he said.
“But the plebiscite was a beautiful exercise of democracy. I congratulate the barangay captain and councilors of Guadalupe. I congratulate you all,” he said.
Regional Director Temmie Lambino of the Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) said at least 28,462 voters were expected to cast their ballots to determine whether a new barangay of Banawa-Englis would be created.
Less than half or 12,120 residents turned out to vote.
The Comelec was scheduled to finalize the results at 10 p.m last night.
Precinct results were brought to the session hall of Cebu City Hall for canvassing at past 7 p.m.
Cuenco credited the outcome to the superior campaigning done by opponents of the barangay split.
He said the plebiscite results rendered ineffective Republic Act 9905, the law that would create barangay Banawa-Englis .
Cuenco said a new bill would have to be introduced if the next congressman of Cebu Citys south district wants to pursue splitting Guadalupe, the biggest populated barangay in the city.
Cuenco acknowledged defeat during the “Dialogue on the Air” program of radio dySS that was attended by those in favor of keeping Guadalupe intact.
Among them was Victor Buendia, barangay captain of Labangon.
Buendia lives in Rosalina Village which has a boundary dispute with Banawa-Englis.
If the residents approved the split, Rosalina Village would be included in the new barangay.
Among those who supported the division of barangay Guadalupe was Mayor Michael Rama but he was unable to vote since he’s abroad on an official trip to South Korea.
An early morning downpour greeted Guadalupe residents who flocked to the Guadalupe Elementary School at 7 a.m to vote.
A big chart in front of the school’s administrative building showed the location of classrooms where clustered precincts. Some complained that it was confusing where to find their designated precincts.
Comelec south district offier Edwin Cadungog said there were lapses in the location of canvassing and lack of computers to help voters locate their precinct and cluster number.
Each cluster covers three to four with with an estimated 300 to 500 voters each. With Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac