Strange Abra politics: Mayor vs wife, pa vs son, mother vs son

BY MAR T. SUPNAD

BANGUED, Abra – Strange things are happening in Abra politics

In Penarubia town, this province, incumbent Mayor Antonio Domes-ag is being challenged by his wife, Lovelyn Domes-ag, in the fight for the mayoralty post.

Penarubia is a poor, small town with some 8,000 voters. But this is not the first time that the Domes-ag couple fought for the mayorship.

In 2004, election, the two also fought each other, and Antonio won by a margin of 224 votes over his wife and a third mayoralty candidate, Wilmer Panabang, a former police colonel. Lovelyn landed third in that election.

Sources said the Domes-ag couple parted ways because of too much involvement in politics.
Lovelyn is now courting Panabang’s support for her in her fight against her estrange husband.

In Boliney town, Abra, Pacita Balao-as and his son Ronald Balao-as are also fighting each other for the mayoralty post.

The same situation is happening in Daguioman town, Abra where incumbent Mayor Sally Co Kue is pitted against his son, Manuel Co Kue.

In San Isidro , a mountainous, neglected town locate near the boundary of Abra and Ilocos Sur, Ernesto Pacsa, Sr. is likewise being challenged in the polls by his son and namesake Ernesto Pacsa Jr.

Both of them carry their own name in the polls, and the only difference is the “Sr.” and “Jr.”

Observers said the Commission on Elections will have a hard time in proclaiming the winner because of the confusion that is expected to arise.
The losing candidate is expected to file a protest because of the high probability of “stray votes.”

In Lacub town, Abra Leo Barona, a former Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army member, is similarly fighting his brother, Cesar, for the mayoralty post.

In troubled La Paz town whose mayor, Marc Israel Bernos, was assassinated in full view of the public a few years ago, Joseph Bernos is being challenged by his nephew Domingo Bernos for the mayoralty post.

In San Juan , lawyer Marco Bautista is being challenged by his son-in-law, Dr. Nonito Barbero.