1 month ago
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CARCAR CITY, Cebu — Mandaue Rep. Emmarie Ouano-Dizon has dismissed allegations of her involvement in fraudulent voter registrations, branding them as political maneuvering ahead of the 2025 elections.
Her response comes after former Subangdaku barangay captain Ernie Manatad, a candidate for city councilor under Team Mandaue of former mayor Jonas Cortes, filed a petition before the Municipal Trial Court in Mandaue City on Jan. 31, seeking to exclude over 600 transferee voters from the city's official voters' list.
Manatad alleged that over 600 "flying voters" were registered in villages that are known to be in alliance with Ouano-Dizon.
The transferee voters in question, Manatad said, are not residents of Mandaue City.
He claimed these registrations may have been strategically arranged to influence election results. He also disclosed his intention to file election-related charges against these individuals and barangay officials who may have facilitated their registrations.
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The congresswoman, however, said the accusations are unfounded.
"Pasangil napod? Wala na gyod sila tarung mahuna-hunaan? Sayon ra ang pag-akusar. Laway ray puhunan. Mas permanente nila ang pag-akusar kaysa pagbuhat og mga kaayohan para sa Mandaue. Kahibaw namo unsay panultihon about idle hands and idle minds, 'they're the devil's workshop' (Accusations again? They really can't think of anything better? It's easy to make accusations — all it takes are words. They are more consistent in accusing others than in doing anything good for Mandaue. You know the saying about idle hands and idle minds, 'they're the devil's workshop')," Ouano-Dizon said.
Ouano-Dizon is seeking reelection under the One Mandaue banner, while her brother Jonkie Ouano is running against Cortes for the mayoral post.
The lawmaker said that her team remains focused on delivering programs and services to the people of Mandaue.
"Basta kami, nasayod mo nga focus ra gyud mi sa paghatod sa mga programa, proyekto, ug uban pang makaayo sa mga Mandauehanon. Mas daghan among trabaho kaysa kyawkyaw, because that is what Mandaue needs, and that is what Mandaue deserves (As for us, you know that we are fully focused on delivering programs, projects, and other initiatives that benefit the people of Mandaue. We have more work to do than just talking, because that is what Mandaue needs, and that is what Mandaue deserves)," she added.
Manatad's camp, however, insists that the petition is based on legitimate concerns.
Manatad's camp claim to have conducted an investigation from Dec. 27, 2024 to Jan. 20, 2025, which allegedly revealed that many transferee voters could not be located at their registered addresses.
