MP elections next year tagged ‘most colorful’: 371 political aspirants file COCs in Mt Prov

By Juliet B. Saley and Angel Baybay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Next year’s election in this province could be one of the most colorful political exercises with personalities of impressive backgrounds having formalized their intent to run.

A total of 371 political aspirants are vying for the various elective positions in the province.

The congressional seat is contested by incumbent Gov. Maximo B. Dalog (Lakas-Kampi-CMD); former Sabangan mayor Jupiter C. Dominguez (Independent); Thomas Perry A. Killip (Independent); incumbent Bontoc mayor Franklin C. Odsey (Aksyon Demokratiko); and Arnulfo S. Pilando (Independent).

In the gubernatorial race, the candidates are Vice Gov. Louis F. Claver, Jr.(Liberal Party); Harry C. Dominguez (Nationalist People’s Coalition); Boardmembers Ezra Samson A. Gomez (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) and Marcial C. Lawilao, Jr. (Lapiang Manggagawa); Atty. Leonard G. Mayaen (Nacionalista Party); and Albert G. Padayos (Indep.).

Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., Glenn L. Manao and Arbee C. Talastas, all independent candidates are contesting the vice governor seat.

For the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, there are 12 candidates for the four positions in District I (composed of the municipalities of Barlig, Bontoc, Natonin, Paracelis and Sadanga).

They are Bontoc councilor Cyril L. Bacala (LalakspKampi-CMD), Marcelino T. Balaso, Jr. (NP), Larry P. Banganan (Ind.), Carlos M. Florencio (LP) Dionisio B. Chungalan (NP), Ciriaco M. Filog (LP), Jimmy K. Galingan (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Alfonso L. Kiat-ong, Sr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Raul M. Lapon (NP), Johnny V. Lausan (Ind.), incumbent boardmember Carino S. Tamang (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), and Reynaldo F. Tawaran (Ind.).

Incumbent board members Randolph T. Awisan (NP) and Salavador K. Dalang (LP), Sorero A. Gullod, Alexander C. Maday-a (NPC), Bauko councilor Carmelita M. Masidong (Ind.), Tadian mayor Constito S. Masweng (Lalaks-Kampi- CMD), lawyer Michael A. Patting (Ind.), and Dr. Joseph B. Solang (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), are vying for the four positions in District II ccovering the municipalities of Bauko, Besao, Sabangan, Sagada and Tadian.

There are 34 aspirants in the mayoralty race for the 10 municipalities of Mt. Province with the municipality of Paracelis having the most in number with eight candidates followed by Sadanga with five.

Only the municipality of Sabangan has an unopposed candidate for the mayoralty race. He is incumbent mayor Donato L. Danglose (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).

The vice mayor seat is a fight between incumbent vice mayor Avelino O. Tolean and Joseph B. Bernardez (NPC). 18 candidates are aspiring for the eight seats for the Sangguniang Bayan.

In Bauko, it is a fight between incumbent mayor Simon C. Lacwasan (Lalas-Kampi-CMD) and Abraham B. Akilit (Partido Liberal ng Pilipinas).In the vice mayoralty race, incumbent vice mayor Jose B. Tanggacan (NP) is challenged by Rafael G. Bulasoy and Rodolfo A. Patnaan, both independent candidates. 30 candidates are aspiring for the eight seats of the SB.

In Barlig, the mayoralty race is contested by Ferdinand M. Charaychay (LP), Albert C. Kiwan (Ind.) and incumbent vice mayor Edmund C. Sidchayao (NP).
Candidates for the vice mayor seat are Pio S. Cupasan (NPC) and councilor Benjamin C. Pinos-an (NP). Barlig has 36 candidates for the SB.

In Besao, incumbent mayor Wellington B. Pooten (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) is being challenged by Pablo S. Dicdican (Ind.) , while incumbent vice mayor David Ballang (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) is opposed by John M. Antiyag and Harry L. Baliaga both independent candidates. 29 candidates are vying for the SB.

The position of mayor for Bontoc is being aspired by Vice Mayor John T. Diaz (Ind.), ABC President Pascual A. Sacgaca, Sieghfred N. Fatongkeg, and lawyer Florence N. Taguiba (NP.

The vice mayoralty race is a fight between councilor Bryan Byrd B. Bellang and William A. Aspilan. There are 35 candidates contesting for the eight seats for councilor.

In Natonin, candidates for mayor include incumbent vice mayor Juan Henry A. For-og (Lalas-Kampi-CMD), Mateo L. Chiyawan (LP), Patrick Baguingan and Juanito M. Cafongtan, Jr. both independent candidates.

Councilors Rodolfo D. Liwanen and Mataram A. Lumines (NP) and Fernando S. Magranga, Jr. (Ind.) are candidates for the vice mayor seat while 32 candidates are vying for the eight SB seats.

In Paracelis, incumbent mayor Pedro A. Almeda, Sr.(Lakas-Kampi-CMD) is challenged by boardmember Luke M. Wanason, councilor Casiano D. Agagon, Jr., Avelino C. Amangyen, Rogelio M. Banggot, Ernesto B. Gunday, Sr., Emilio B. Pinangga all independent candidates and Mario D. Madanom (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino) for the mayoralty position.

Councilor Marcelo T. Ambatali, Antonio B. Cayyog both independent candidates and Norma Enriqueta B. Rafael (NP) are contesting for the vice mayor seat, while 36 candidates are aspiring for the eight seats for the councilor.

In Sadanga, the mayoralty race is contested by Mary G. Fagto (Lakas-Kampi- CMD), former mayor Gabino P. Ganggangan (LP), Albert A. Limmayog (NP, councilor Graldo F. Ackut, Jr. and Arthur S. Agpad.

The vice mayor seat is a fight between councilors Joseph N. Apopot and Laurence A. Farong-ey c while 51 candidates are vying for the eight councilor seats.

In the municipality of Tadian, mayoralty position is contested by vice mayor Febe S. Cawilan, Liberato P. Domingo and lawyer Anthony D. Wooden.

Councilors Laurence P. Atipen and Joseph G. Cawili (NP) and Denys S. Pecdaen are contesting for the vice mayor seat. Tadian has 19 candidates bet for the 8 seats allotted for the SB.