Cotabato
City - Third day Taji'ah kanduli of the late Mayor Japal J. Guiani, Jr.
Thousands
of family, friends, relatives, and supporters flock the Cotabato City Institute
gymnasium, Sunday September 25, 2016, to commemorate the third day of the death
of the late Mayor Honorable Japal Juanday Guiani, Jr.
In
the Muslim tradition, the death of a loved one is remembered through a
"kanduli" on the third, seventh, fortieth, and one hundredth day of
his or her death.
On
Sunday morning, people come and go at the CCI gymnasium to extend their
condolences to the family and to remember the life of the late mayor. His
sister, Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi now Mayor of the city, by virtue of
the law of succession, is overwhelmed by the love and well wishes that everyone
is extending to the family. She said this is only proof that her brother, the
late Mayor Jojo Guiani, has touched the lives of many people during his
lifetime.
"Our
brother truly lived a beautiful life. He was one to extend a helping hand
whenever it was needed by the people. Hindi siya namimili ng mga taong
tutulungan niya and that's what most people remember about him", Atty.
Guiani-Sayadi said.
On
Friday, a day after the passing of the late Mayor, despite still grieving the
loss of a great man, the Guiani family and the rest of the city government had
to conduct the oath taking of the new Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City Councilor of
Cotabato City to avoid what the law calls as "vacuum of position".
The
law states that every position that is vacated by the previous occupant must be
immediately succeeded to avoid the delay of the delivery of basic services.
With
a heavy heart, City Vice Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi takes her
oath as the new Mayor of Cotabato City. First Councilor Graham Nazer G. Dumama
also took his oath as the city's Vice Mayor. Mayor Guiani's only son Japal G.
Guiani, III also took his oath as the new member of the city council.
The
oath taking ceremony, supposed to be a celebration of new leadership, was the
exact opposite. Sadness filled the city hall's lobby and those who attended the
occasion became very emotional especially when the tribute video presentation
for the late Mayor Guiani was played.
In
her acceptance speech, new City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi
expressed her sorrow over the passing of her brother. But amidst the flow of
emotions, she promised to continue what has been started by Mayor Guiani and
steer further the city government on his peace and order, socio-economic, and
development thrusts.
"It
is not easy. We are still extremely hurting but we have to be strong for the
sake of our people. My brother would want us to carry on and not be clouded by
our emotions. He would always put his fellow Cotabateños first and that is what
we are trying to do", she said.
Mayor
Guiani-Sayadi also has words for those who mis-interpreted the oath taking
occasion.
"This
doesn't mean that we are already celebrating. It hurts us even more to know
that there are people who think this way. I hope that some people would at
least give our family the support that we really need in this time of sorrow
instead of saying things that can worsen the pain", Mayor Guiani-Sayadi
added.
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