3 claim being mayor of Mountain Province town

 Comelec urged: Settle impasse 

By Vince Jacob Visaya

PARACELIS, Mountain Province – Three political leaders are now at odds as they claimed to be the mayor of this remote town.
    Following this, political leaders of this second class municipality urged the Commission on Elections to settle legal issues and decide the rightful mayor as constituents were confused on who to approach regarding their problems.
    Avelino Amangyen topped the May 9 elections after receiving 9,220 votes despite the Comelec order canceling his certificate of candidacy on April 19, 2022 — less than a month before the elections.
    He did not disclose a previous conviction for violation of the Forestry Code, which carried the penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
    However, Amangyen filed a motion for reconsideration but the Comelec en banc failed to resolve his disqualification case before the scheduled assumption of office for local officials on June 30.
    Former mayor Marcos Ayangwa, whose term had lapsed on June 30, placed second in the polls with 5,185 votes.
    He said he should have been declared the winner because Amangyen was disqualified.
    Amor Liban was third with 1,172 votes.
    "I am pleading before the Comelec en banc to resolve the urgent motion on the legally elected and legitimate mayor to lessen the tension and confusion. Let us put a rest on this matter," Ayangwa said.
    However, the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government ordered elected Vice Mayor Djarma Rafael to take over as the town's mayor in an acting capacity while the election office has yet to resolve the legal impasse.
Rafael announced that she will take over soonest.
    DILG Regional Director Araceli San Jose on June 28 said that due to the absence of a Comelec en banc resolution on Amangyen's motion for reconsideration on June 30 noon, "there shall exist a temporary vacancy in the position of mayor."
    "In that case, pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, the Vice Mayor shall then assume as the mayor in an acting capacity," she said, adding the vice mayor's assumption would hinge on the outcome of Comelec's resolution.
    Ayangwa, through a letter to the DILG, also asked that an "immediate written directive, advisory, order or any other proper action denying, dismissing, or repudiating, or holding in abeyance the implementation" of the order installing Rafael as the acting mayor.
    His lawyers said Ayangwa was the legitimate winner.
    Amangyen's votes were declared stray due to his disqualification for material misrepresentation and due to conviction for illegal logging.
    The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeals and subsequently by the Supreme Court in 2018, San Jose said.
    Paracelis local government operations officer Johnny Maymaya Jr. and the assigned town election officer were out of their offices last week.
    They were reported having separate seminars and meetings in Baguio City.
    Rafael, who publicly declared before the elected councilors that she will take over July 6, was out of her office when this writer tried to seek her comment.
    Her secretary said she was indisposed.
    She later declined to comment when asked via the telephone.
    Amangyen's designated town administrator, Edward Sullay, who occupied a seat outside the padlocked door of the mayor's office, said they would abide by the outcome of the Comelec resolution once it is announced.
    Amangyen, who has a warrant, sent a copy of his oath of office administered in Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet to the Paracelis Human Resource Management Office on June 30.

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VM-elect told to sit as acting mayor in Mt. Province town

ACTING CAPACITY. Vice Mayor-elect Djarma Rafael is told to sit as acting mayor of Paracelis, Mountain Province by the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Cordillera if the Commission on Elections (Comelec) En Banc will not be able to resolve the motion for reconsideration of elected Mayor Avelino Amangyen. The Comelec canceled his certificate of candidacy for material misrepresentation when he failed to declare being convicted of violating the Forestry Code, which was upheld by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)

By Liza Agoot

PARACELIS, Mountain Province -- The elected vice mayor of this town was appointed to sit as acting mayor in case the Commission on Elections (Comelec) En Banc fails to resolve the disqualification case of the winning mayor before the scheduled assumption of office of local officials on June 30.
    At presstime, the Comelec reportedly did not act on the matter as of that date.
    “You, as vice mayor of said municipality, shall assume the Office of the Mayor in an acting capacity without prejudice to the Comelec’s resolution of the Motion for Reconsideration,” said Araceli San Jose, Regional Director of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera, in a letter to Elmer Manuel Sagsago, the counsel of elected Vice Mayor Djarma Rafael, who sought a legal opinion from the DILG to dispel confusion among the public.
    The certificate of candidacy of elected and proclaimed mayor Avelino Amangyen was nullified by the Second Division of the Comelec on April 19, 2022, before the elections, and declared him ineligible because of misrepresentation in his certificate of candidacy for nondisclosure of a previous conviction for violation of the Forestry Code which carried a penalty of Reclusion Temporal and an accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.
    Amangyen subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration, which has yet to be resolved by the Commission.
    Amangyen won the mayoralty race against incumbent Mayor Marcos Ayangwa after garnering 9,220 votes versus the 5,185 votes of the latter in the May 9 polls.
    San Jose, in her letter to Sagsago, said that considering that the issue lies in the hands of the Comelec en banc and the controversy on who should sit as mayor remains in question, Rafael shall assume the office in an acting capacity.
    “In the event that no resolution on the motion for reconsideration will be issued by the Comelec on the noon of June 30, there shall exist a temporary vacancy in the position of the Mayor… the vice mayor shall then assume as the mayor in an acting capacity,” read the letter.
    San Jose further wrote, “as to mayoralty candidate Ayangwa, we are of the opinion that his claim will be addressed by the Comelec once it resolves the Motion for Reconsideration.”
    Amangyen was found guilty of a violation of Presidential Decree 705 or the Forestry Code in 2013. The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeals and subsequently by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Amangyen’s case stemmed from a raid conducted by the police in his residence in Paracelis where several board feet of forest products not covered by permits were found.
    He was meted the penalty of reclusion temporal that carries an imprisonment of a minimum of 12 years and one day and 20 years as maximum.
    The Comelec 2nd Division in April said that Amangyen, in his COC, answered, “No,” to the question, “Have you ever been found liable for an offense which carries with it the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office which has become final and executory” and went on to write "N/A" in the space where the candidate is required to provide information.
    The Comelec said, “The material representation in his COC contradicting the existence of his conviction as well as perpetual disqualification serve as grounds for the cancellation thereof under Section 78 of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code).” -- PNA
 
 

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Bontoc officials take office oath

Outgoing Mayor Franklin Odsey handovers the Key of Responsibility to Mayor-elect Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., during the Inauguration and Turnover Ceremonies on June 30, 2022, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol grounds. // Photo by Jovi T. Lopez  

By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Newly elected and re-elected local officials of this capital town, along with their families took their oath of office on June 30  at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol grounds.
    Mayor-elect Jerome “Chagsen” B. Tudlong, Jr., was sworn in by Poblacion Punong Barangay Glenn Saavedra, Sr., who also administered the oath of office of re-elected Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen.
    In his inaugural speech. Tudlong shared the roadmap of the incoming administration in the next three years -“ENLANGAKHA: Achieving the Vision for a Dynamic Bontoc”. “
    Englangakha is an old Bontok term meaning “to shine brightly”.
    It encompasses the four pillars of the incoming administration to include Ecosystem Generation; Empowered Communities; Economic Empowerment; and Governance.
    Ecosystem generation covers the strengthening of environmental and solid waste management programs; disaster resilience and climate change adaptation through the establishment of tree nurseries and tree planting activities in all the barangays; implementation of improved water system distribution; and sanitation.
    The second pillar which is Empower Communities shall include promoting health and nutrition; local culture and the arts; strengthening support for education and youth development; and maintaining peace and order.
    He assured e procurement of necessary logistics such as medicines and first-aid equipment to be readily available in Barangay Health Stations (BHS), especially in the outskirt barangays of Bontoc.
    He bared increase in the cash incentives given to those who bring honor to Bontoc by winning in various competitions and the allocation of annual funds to support the resolution of boundary disputes.
    On Economic Empowerment, it focuses on the promotion of organic agriculture; recovery of local enterprises; boost of sustainable tourism; promotion of green infrastructure. Noteworthy is the proposal of the new mayor to brand Bontoc as the “Pancake and Patupat Capital of the North.”
    The fourth pillar is Good Governance of which he assured to continue to invest in human resource development.
    Tudlong said the new administration will sustain the existing programs of the outgoing administration and will introduce new, creative, and innovative programs and services that are beneficial down to the grassroots- the community.
    Tudlong said among new and innovative programs is the installation of solar lights in all the 16 barangays of Bontoc; the procurement of necessary logistics such as medicines and first-aid equipment to be readily available in Barangay Health Stations (BHS), especially in the outskirt barangays of Bontoc.
    For the solar lights, he said that these will be installed on the national highways and main pathways in the barangays as part of the preventive measures against the commitment of crimes and for the safety of the constituents.
    Also, in recognition of Bontoc people who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields, an annual Search for Most Outstanding Citizens of Bontoc shall be conducted.
    “So as Bontoc rose under Mayor Odsey’s leadership, I hope that it would shine more brightly during our term. I took the oath before God and people, committing myself to discharge to the best of my ability the duties and responsibilities as Mayor of this capital town. Not as mayor of those who voted for me; but as a mayor for all. Not as a public servant of those who voted for me; but as a public servant for all. And I mean to do just that- to be a servant to for all,” Tudlong said.
    He urged for unity, support, and teamwork from the elective officials, all stakeholders, and the Bontoc community and set aside political differences for the realization of the roadmap and the new administration and to bring Bontoc to greater heights.
    Meanwhile, Sangguniang Bayan members Jupiter Jule Kalangeg, Dan Evert Sokoken, Sr., Glenn Bacala, Timothy Pongad, Jr., Peter Kedawen, Julian Chumacog, Benedict Odsey II, and Viola Okko took their oath of office before outgoing Mayor Franklin Odsey.
    In their respective messages, Vice Mayor Kabluyen and the newly elected and re-elected SB members assured their support to Tudlong and unanimously solicited unity, support, and cooperation among the public and partner stakeholders.
    In his valedictory message, third-termer and outgoing Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed his gratitude to the public adding that it has been his honor and great pleasure to have served Bontoc as he marks his 30 years in public service.
    “It is my hope that my service to our town these past nine years have been commensurate to the trust that you have reposed upon me for three terms. I also hope that my stewardship as mayor has made a positive and lasting impact on our community and on our town’s future,” he said.
    Odsey gave a brief report of the accomplishments of the administration for the past nine years which is from “An Era of a Job Well Done” to Bontoc on the Rise”.
    Among notable accomplishments were more livelihood opportunities; better infrastructure to include the construction of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol; better health delivery systems and services; increased in the number of Bontoc LGU personnel for more efficient and effective delivery of government services; substantial increase in revenues; more funding for essential programs; closing of Matoytoy-ok open dumpsite and improvement of solid waste management programs; improvement of Manggid Water System which will soon substantially increase distribution of potable water supply to the four central barangays; increase support to the education sector and to sports and culture and the arts; increased support to the 16 barangays and functionaries to include the tanods, Barangay Health Workers, and the Lupon; support to MPSPC’s bid for universityhood; support to day care programs and facilities; improved and expanded services in disaster risk reduction and management; efficient COVID-19 response and the highest vaccination rate in Mountain Province; 16 midwives for the 16 barangays of Bontoc –a ratio of which only Bontoc holds in the province; and the Bontoc Rural Health Unit (RHU) having the most number of permanent nurses in Mountain Province.
    With all of these undertakings, Bontoc was a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) National Awardee for three consecutive years from 2017, 2018, and 2019. Also, Bontoc was one among the only four LGUs in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) that was granted the Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) in 2019 and the only LGU- whether municipal, city, or provincial LGU in CAR that was granted the same in 2020. Further, the Municipal Accounting Office was given a national Hall of Fame Award for 2016, 2017, and 2018. Furthermore, Bontoc was one among the only four municipal and provincial LGUs in CAR that was given a rating of Beyond Compliant (Excellence) for its disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction and management initiatives.
    He expressed confidence that the new administration under the leadership of Mayor Tudlong will give their best to serve the public.
    Prior to the oath of office of the newly elected and re-elected municipal officials, Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Lourdes Claire Peel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gave a briefing on LGU’s Governance Assessment Report.
    She relayed the SGLG journey of Bontoc which has created a culture of performance in the LGU. According to her, it has accentuated the spirit of "Og-ogfo" or Bayanihan among local officials, functionaries, and employees resulting in Bontoc being a consistent SGLG awardee for three consecutive years under the leadership of outgoing Mayor Odsey.
    After the inauguration of the new set of municipal officials, outgoing Mayor Odsey turned over the documents and Key of Responsibility to Mayor-elect Tudlong.
    In attendance are families and supporters of the newly elected municipal officials, representatives from the national government agencies, non-government organizations, barangay officials and functionaries, and employees of the Bontoc LGU.
 
 
 

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P’sinan voters: Manual recount

By Eva Visperas 

LINGAYEN, Pangasinsan -- A letter seeking manual recount of votes in Pangasinan signed by more than 21,000 voters was submitted to the Commission on Elections provincial office.
    Lawyer Laudemer Fabia, who turned over the documents, said the signatories were voters from Lingayen, Bayambang, San Fabian, Binalonan, Rosales, Villasis, Umingan and Bugallon as well as cities of Urdaneta and Alaminos.
    He claimed their group was not connected with any candidate, adding more voters are expected to join the petition the coming days.
    Provincial election supervisor Ericson Oganiza said he would forward the documents to the main office of the Comelec since the provincial office has no jurisdiction over the petition.
    Supporters of defeated Gov. Amado Espino III, who are also asking for a manual recount, held vigil in front of the provincial capitol.
    Espino’s camp claimed massive cheating in the May 9 polls.
    Fifth district Rep. Ramon Guico III was proclaimed governor.
    Guico won by a margin of 187,807 votes, ending the 15-year rule of the Espinos in Pangasinan.
 

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Edubba finally wins as Kalinga governor

 After losing by 10 votes in 2019 polls 

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Governor-elect James Edubba was proclaimed by the provincial board of canvassers after beating incumbent Gov. Ferdinand Tubban.
    Edduba avenged his loss in the May 2019 elections when he lost by only 10 votes to Tubban.
    "I feel vindicated this time. The real voice of the people really came out this time, that is why I will make sure that I will be able to reciprocate their trust with sincere and dedicated service to them during my term," Edubba said.
    The governor-elect said quality health services will be one of his priorities so the practice in the Kalinga Provincial Hospital of requiring patients to buy their medicines in pharmacies will be scrapped.
    He added the provincial government will work with government agencies to restore zero billing of patients confined in government health facilities.
    Edubba vowed to work to restore the license of the provincial blood council for blood extraction and establish a blood bank to support operation of the dialysis center to ease burden of patients undergoing expensive treatment.
    Edubba expressed his gratitude to the people of the province for bestowing their trust and confidence in him by electing him to the gubernatorial post and that such a gesture will surely be reciprocated with genuine public service.
    When he lost to Tubban by 10 votes in the May 2019 midterm elections, Edubba filed a post-election protest with the Commission on elections for recount of votes in protested polling precincts.
    However, Tubban filed a counter-protest that called for a recount of votes in many clustered polling precincts in the province which caused the said cases to drag on.
    Edubba appealed to the people of Kalinga to support his administration so can deliver his campaign promises for welfare of the populace.

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Pangasinan voters press manual votes recount over ‘poll irregularities’

By Eva Visperas

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- A letter seeking a manual recount of votes in Pangasinan signed by more than 21,000 voters was submitted to the Commission on Elections provincial office on Monday over allegations of irregularities.
    Lawyer Laudemer Fabia, who turned over the documents, said the signatories were voters from Lingayen, Bayambang, San Fabian, Binalonan, Rosales, Villasis, Umingan and Bugallon as well as the cities of Urdaneta and Alaminos.
    He said their group is not connected with any candidate, adding that more voters are expected to join the petition in the coming days.
    Provincial election supervisor Ericson Oganiza said he would forward the documents to the main office of the Comelec since the provincial office has no jurisdiction over the petition.
    On Monday night, supporters of defeated Gov. Amado Espino III, who were also asking for a manual recount, held a vigil in front of the provincial capitol.
    Espino’s camp claimed massive cheating in the May 9 polls.
    Fifth district Rep. Ramon Guico III was proclaimed governor on Wednesday last week.
    Guico won by a margin of 187,807 votes, ending the 15-year rule of the Espinos in Pangasinan.
    Meanwhile, in Biliran, more members of the Espina clan dominated the elections.
    Gerard Espina, mayor of Naval town and son of Gov. Rogelio Espina, garnered more than 60,000 votes against his opponent Edgardo Ambe.
    Gerard’s sister Gretchen was unopposed in her bid as mayor of Naval.
    Their younger brother, Gerardo, was reelected congressman of the province’s lone district.
    Their other sister, Roselyn Paras, topped the race for provincial board member.
    Rogelio’s twin brother, outgoing Kawayan Mayor Rudy Espina, won as councilor. Rudy’s son Jake was unopposed in his vice mayoral run.
    Many of those who were elected mayors, councilors and board members in the province are also allies of the Espinas. – Miriam Desacada

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Comelec warns poll bets: Give SOCE or face raps

By Christy Mae F. Chees and Liza Agoot 

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Commission on Elections warned candidates nationwide to submit their Statement of election Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE) or face charges.
    Submission of the SOCE is a requirement prescribed by the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines to determine compliance with the expenditure limit of a candidate.
    The Election Law also prescribes an amount that candidates are allowed to spend during the campaign.
    The SOCE also requires the listing of contributions from donors.
    Before the May 9 elections, the Comelec issued a disqualification case against a candidate for mayor in Baguio City for failure to submit a SOCE in the past elections.
    In this capital town, Comelec officials said candidates, whether elected or not are mandated to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) in connection with the May 9, 2022 elections to avoid facing charges.
    The deadline for the submission nationwide is on or before June 8.
    Acting Election Officer III lawyer Joyce Marie Dango said failure to file SOCE shall constitute an administrative offense and a fine ranging from ₱1,000 to ₱30,000 for the first offense and ₱2,000 to ₱60,000 for the second or subsequent offense.
    Candidates are to submit three printed copies of SOCE and one soft/electronic copy in excel file format and in portable document format (PDF) file of the signed and notarized statement forms to the Comelec.
    Here, the Comelec office located at the mezzanine of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
     Dango said soft/electronic copies may be saved in a USB flash drive or a compact disc (CD). SOCE forms may be downloaded from the Comelec website at www.comelec.gov.ph.
    Submission of the SOCE is a requirement prescribed by the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines to determine compliance with the expenditure limit of a candidate.
    The Election Law also prescribes an amount that candidates are allowed to spend during the campaign. The SOCE also requires the listing of contributions from donors.
    In Bangued, Abra, Comelec officials told candidates the last elections also to submit their SOCES.
    “Nag-advise kami sa candidates na dapat sundin nila lahat ang rules of campaign finance, particularly submission of SOCE (We already advised candidates that they should follow all the rules of campaign finance, particularly the submission of the SOCE),” said provincial election officer Ricardo Lampac.
    Even before the start of the campaign period, he said the candidates have already been reminded of the laws requiring the submission of the document.
    “We expect na mag-comply sila and then isa-submit namin sa Manila (we hope they will comply then we will submit them to Manila)," Lampac said.
    Failure to submit before the deadline, a candidate can be meted charges or penalties.
    “Katunayan noong naupo ako dito noong January, meron akong na-receive na eight na kaso from the Law Department to be filed at the RTC (regional trial court)-Bangued (Since I was assigned here in January I have already received four cases from the Law Department for filing to the RTC-Bangued),” he said.
    The cases involved overspending committed during the 2013 election.
    He said such cases take time before the Comelec law department finishes reviewing these.
    After which, the cases will require the approval of the Comelec en banc that will issue an authority for its field office to file charges before a trial court.
    Lampac said SOCE-related cases usually take longer than usual to get resolved because the Comelec's law department is undermanned, something which he hopes to be addressed soon.
    “Iyon siguro ang sistema na dapat ma-improve in the coming elections para madali at hindi naman ma-violate ang rights ng respondents during the investigation kasi kapag matagal ma imbestiga mawawala yung mga ebidensiya at made delay yung administration of justice (that is something which probably needs to be improved in the next elections so that the rights of the respondents will not be violated. If the investigation takes longer, the pieces of evidence will be lost and the administration of justice will be delayed),” Lampac said.
    Lampac said that whether a candidate has lost or won, the submission of a SOCE is still required. – With a PNA report
 

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Pangasinan elections reveal ‘many firsts’

By Eva Visperas 

DAGUPAN CITY — The result of the May 9 elections in different areas in Pangasinan showed a lot of “firsts” for the province.
    In the central business of Dagupan, former mayor Belen Fernandez regained her post with the highest margin of 14,457 votes over her rival.
    It was the first time in the city’s election history that a winning candidate garnered such an overwhelming margin of votes over her opponents.
    The town of Calasiao elected its first female mayor in the person of Mamilyn Caramat, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay.
    She is the wife of Caraga police director Brig. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr.
    Bayambang did not only elect its first female mayor, but also its first female vice mayor in the persons of Niña Quiambao and Camille Sabangan, respectively.
    Quiambao is a former competitor in the ABS-CBN reality show Pinoy Big Brother Teen 1 edition in 2006. She will replace her husband, Mayor Cezar Quiambao, as chief executive of Bayambang.
    The town of Sto. Tomas elected its first son and father as mayor and vice mayor, Councilor Dickerson Villar and Mayor Timoteo Villar, respectively.
    Sto. Tomas is the smallest town in Pangasinan in terms of population and land area.
    For the first time, the municipality of Villasis will have a sixth-termer mayor after reelectionist Mayor Nonato Abrenica emerged victorious in the recent polls.
    Abrenica previously served three successive terms. He was briefly replaced by his wife and ran again as mayor. He is currently in his third term.
    Meanwhile, Mayor Arth Bryan Celeste of Alaminos town, the youngest mayor elected in the 2019 polls, won a second term.
    It was the first time that Alaminos elected a mayor considered to be the youngest in the country.
    In Asingan, an elected mayor and vice mayor became the first candidates to run unopposed in the town. Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. and Vice Mayor Heidee Chua are both reelectionists.
    Bani town logged its first father-daughter mayor and vice mayor team in the persons of Boying Palafox and Mayor Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto, respectively.
    San Fabian town has its first couple – Marlyn Agbayani and Mayor Constante Agbayani – as mayor and vice mayor, respectively.
 

 

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Abra election violence ‘thing of the past’

By Liza Agoot 

BANGUED, Abra – The generally peaceful conduct of the elections on May 9 in the whole province was proof that election-related violence in Abra is now a thing of the past, said an official who had just won the local polls.
    Congressman and La Paz municipality mayor-elect Joseph Sto. Nino “JB” Bernos on the sidelines of the proclamation of the winning candidates at the provincial level said: “Graduate na po kami diyan. We are graduates of violent elections (we have graduated from the violent elections).”
    Bernos made the pronouncement despite a shootout between the police and the personnel of Vice Mayor Josephine Somera-Disono in Pilar in March that prompted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the town under the control of the Commission on Elections.
    There were also reports of intimidation and harassment that circulated on social media on election day in the said town.
    Still, Bernos insisted that elections in his province were "100-percent peaceful" even as lamented how their neighboring provinces, meanwhile, seemed unable to rid themselves of violence during the polls.
    “Look at the neighboring province, bumabalik sa kanila (it is coming back). Dito sa Abra, maayos na kami dito, maayos na (Here in Abra, we are okay),” the congressman said.
    Bernos, however, admitted that the tension between supporters of political candidates is normal and happens anywhere in the country.
    He also said that his province did not deserve to be placed under Comelec control. “We don’t deserve such a declaration.         We don’t need it. The declaration of Comelec control of one town in Abra is ill-advised," he said.
    Capt. Marnie Abellanida, Police Regional Office-Cordillera information officer, in an interview said they were “verifying four incidents which are possible election-related incidents [that have been] recorded since the start of the election period.”
    The police officer also said the Pilar shootout in March was the only confirmed election-related incident in the region during the election period.
    He said the earlier incident involving a candidate in Mountain Province had been ruled out non-election-related as it involved a land dispute.
    Abellanida added that the arrest of the two persons for carrying a gun on election day at Lagangilang town was considered a violation of the election gun ban but not election-related as it did not disrupt, in any way, the conduct of the elections or prevent people from casting their votes.
    Abellanida had earlier said that the elections in the region were generally peaceful, including in Abra despite the province being placed under Alert Category red and one of its municipalities being placed under Comelec control. -- PNA
 

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Dy, Albano clans reassert political might in Isabela

By Vince Jacob Visaya

CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela -- The ruling Dy and Albano clans reasserted their political might in Isabela with 10 Dys and three Albanos already proclaimed in various posts on May 10.
    Unopposed, incumbent Vice Gov. Faustino "Bojie" Dy 3rd was proclaimed on his second consecutive term while his son Faustino "Inno" Dy 5th won anew as sixth district representative against former Comelec commissioner Armando Velasco.
    Another son, Mayor Francis Faustino "Kiko" Dy won his reelection against retired military officer Miguel Culang in Echague town.
    In Cauayan City, the vice governor's nephew, city councilor Ceasar Jaycee Dy (son of former mayor Ceasar Dy) won with 44,326 votes against his uncle, Bill Dy (half-brother of the vice governor), who got 27,424 votes. Ceasar would replace his cousin, Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy (son of late governor Benjamin Dy), whose third term ends on June 30 this year. Vice Mayor Leoncio Dalin Jr. is proclaimed unopposed with 59,110 votes.
    Another Bojie Dy nephew, Third District Rep. Ian Paul Dy (son of three-term congressman Napoleon Dy) was also proclaimed unopposed.
    Another nephew, Fifth District Rep. Michael Faustino Dy (son of former governor Faustino Dy Jr.) was also proclaimed.
    The vice governor's brothers, Victor Dy and Faustino "King" Dy 4th won provincial board seats in the fourth and fifth districts, respectively, while another brother, Faustino Dondon Dy won the San Manuel mayoral post.
    Another nephew, Benjamin Isabelo Dy (son of the late governor Benjamin Dy) was the first-ranked councilor in Cabatuan town.
    Inno Dy's wife and Bojie's daughter-in-law, incumbent Rep. Alyssa Sheena Tan-Dy won with 43,416 votes in a slim margin over Joseph "Otep" Miranda with 42,631 votes.

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BIR warns poll bets: Submit tax clearance

BAGUIO CITY – An official of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in the Cordillera Administrative Region (BIR-CAR) on Wednesday expressed hope that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will submit a tax clearance in the filing of candidacy, starting with the next polls.
    BIR-CAR regional director Douglas Rufino said the additional requirement will make future candidates appreciate the need to pay their taxes, along with the Comelec-required submission of the statement of contribution and expenditure (SOCE).
    "There are some who submit SOCE for compliance purposes and nobody knows whether the declaration is correct or accurate based on their actual contribution received or their expenses," he said.
    "Some of those who lose in the election no longer bother to submit a SOCE. But if a tax certificate becomes a requirement, candidates will have to make sure they pay taxes that will be reflected in their SOCE," Rufino added.
    Rufino said aside from a tax clearance, the Comelec should also require the payment of an environmental fee which, later on, could be used to pay personnel who will take down election materials.
    “This will not only assure that the election paraphernalia will be removed, but will also allow the government to hire workers for the purpose,” he said. – Liza Agoot/PNA

 

 

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Tabuk City gives Mayor Estrañero fresh mandate

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Majority of the city's electorate has given Mayor Darwin C. Estrañero a fresh mandate to serve as the local chief executive during the May 9 elections.
    Estrañero was proclaimed by the City Board of Canvassers last week after garnering 24,718 votes, way ahead of his closest rival Vice Mayor Bernard Glenn Daoas who got 18,038 votes and Macario Balanggao Jr. who received 16,079 votes.
    Josephine Odsey, who earlier withdrew from the city's mayoral race, ended up with 102 votes.

"We are grateful to the people of Tabuk for giving us a fresh mandate to serve them and pursue the city's growth and development. We still have a lot of unfinished business that we have to pursue during our next term for our city to be elevated to greater heights," Estrañero said.

For his second term as mayor, Estrañero city public market, construction of a local government-operated hospital and a solar farm.

He also promised to entice more investors to establish their businesses in the city to generate more jobs for the residents and enhance other economic activities and sources of livelihood of the people.

He said Tabuk has great potentials of becoming onevowed to pursue high impact development projects like the ongoing upgrading and improvement of the  of the well-developed local governments in the north because of vast tracts of land that could be developed into industrial zones without compromising its identity as rice granary of the Cordillera Administrative Region where it plays host to more than 10,000 hectares of rice farms.

Estrañero said significant increase in investments in the city will boost efforts of concerned government agencies and local government to increase availability of existing jobs for the people to be able to recover from  heavy impact inflicted by the pandemic after having been displaced from their work and other economic activities over the past two years.

Tabuk is being promoted by the Regional Development Council in the CAR as the future growth center in the region with establishment of the Eastern Kalinga Growth Center to up the city's development.

For the city's vice mayoral post, lawyer Dick Bal-o was declared winner after garnering 23,230 votes. Councilor Zorayda Mia Wacnang received 18,849, incumbent Liga ng mga Barangay president and Councilor Henry Tubban Jr. collected 15,132 and Gladelina Ottao got 195 votes.

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Comelec execs proclaim Cordillera poll winners

Reelectionists Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (left), Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan (center) and Congressman Marquez Go are proclaimed winners in the local election. (Photo courtesy of Baguio City Public Information Office)

By Liza Agoot

BANGUED, Abra – Winners for the different elected posts in the six provinces and two cities in the Cordillera Administrative Region have been proclaimed, some as early as Monday evening and the last batch on Tuesday evening.
    As early as Monday evening (May 9), the Commission on Elections proclaimed incumbent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong reelected following the completion of the canvassing of the precincts that covered 128 barangays in the city.
    As early as Monday evening (May 9), the Commission on Elections proclaimed incumbent Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong reelected following the completion of the canvassing of the precincts that covered 128 barangays in the city.
    He was proclaimed with reelected Rep. Marquez “Mark” Go and Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan.
    Winning city councilors were Benny Bomogao, Jose Molintas, Arthur Allad-iw, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Leandro Yangot, Isabelo Cosalan Jr., Mylen Yaranon, Elmer Datuin, Peter Fianza, Vladimir Cayabas, Fred Bagbagen and Leah Farinas.
    Also proclaimed on Monday night were Tabuk City winners Darwin Estranero for mayor; and Dick Bal-o for vice mayor together with the councilors.
    Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño "JB" Bernos, who ran for mayor of La Paz municipality, was also proclaimed on Monday evening.
    He ran unopposed for the position.
    In Ifugao, reelection of Rep. Solomon Chungalao and Vice Gov. Glenn Prudenciano with Lamut town mayor and governor-elect Jerry Dalipog were proclaimed around 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
In Benguet, the winners for leading provincial posts -- Congressman-elect Eric Go Yap, reelected Gov. Melchor Diclas, and newcomer Felipe Tagel as vice governor -- were proclaimed also at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
    Elected board members were Johannes A. Amuasen, Alexander T. Fianza, Florencio V. Bentrez, and Juan “Coy” M. Nazarro Jr. for District 1. For District 2 were Marie Rose Fongwan Kepes, Fernando Balaodan Sr., Roberto K. Canuto, Ruben E. Paoad, Joel Tingbawen Jr., and Neptali Camsol.
    In the capital town of La Trinidad, Benguet, reelectionists mayor Romeo Salda and vice mayor Roderick Awingan won as mayor and vice mayor respectively.
    At press time winning La Trinidad Sangguniang Bayan winners were John Botiwey, Jayson Dangwa, Guiller Galwan, Belmer Elis, Teddy Walang, Francis Lee, Henry Kipas and Bartolome Baldas Jr. 
In Kalinga, the provincial canvassers proclaimed around 5 p.m. Tuesday reelected Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, while former Vice Governor James Edduba was elected governor and former Governor Jocel Baac won for vice governor.
    In Mountain Province, incumbent Rep. Maximo Dalog, Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, and Vice Gov. Francis Tauli were all reelected to the same position and proclaimed around 6 p.m. on Tuesday.
Abra winners were proclaimed around 7 p.m. on Tuesday led by governor-elect and incumbent Bangued Mayor     Dominic Valera, incumbent governor and vice-governor-elect Joy Valera-Bernos, and incumbent La Paz Mayor Ching Bernos, who won as congresswoman of the lone district of Abra.
    In Apayao, where most of the positions went to unopposed candidates, election supervisor Ricardo Bulintao, in a private message through social media, said the winners were proclaimed around 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
Abra election officer and Provincial Election Board chairman Ricardo Lampac said, “This is the fastest so far that Abra finished and proclaimed the winning candidates and transmitted the result to the national board of canvassers."
    He said that they could have finished earlier had it not been for two municipalities that were traditionally the last to submit results due to their distance from the provincial capital.
    Lampac said the municipalities of Tineg and Lacub, which have precincts located in far-flung sitios, did not have an internet signal that will allow the transmission to be done.
    He said Sitio Talipugo in Lacub is not accessible by road and had to use air assets to transmit and deliver its election supplies and results.
    “If they walk, it will take about two days to reach the place but with the air assets provided by security forces, they were flown to the location of the municipal canvassing and the municipal result also flown to the capital town,” Lampac said.
    Lampac said the Commission on Elections' strong partnership with the different government agencies allowed it to complete its task faster and deliver the necessary results earlier. -- PNA

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BBM, Sara, incumbents win in MP; actor Robin Padilla is top senator

By Gina Dizon

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Former senator and presidential candidate Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas) emerged as top choice among 75,705 voters representing 78.6% of the 96,217 electorate who voted among 115,925 registered voters of Mountain Province, official records from the Provincial Commission on Elections revealed.
    Here in Mountain Province, Vice President  and presidential candidate Leni Robredo (Independent) came in a far second with  8,765 votes representing 9.1 percent of the total votes cast followed by fellow presidential  aspirants  Sen. Manny  Pacquiao (PROMDI- Progressive Movement for the Devolution of Initiatives or Probinsya Muna Development)  with 3,693 votes; incumbent senator Panfilo Lacson (PDR- Partido para sa Demokratikong Reporma)  with 2,705 votes; incumbent Manila Mayor Domagoso Isko Moreno (Aksyon Demokratiko)  with 1,985 votes:  labor leader Leody de Guzman  (PLM- Partido Lakas ng Masa ) with 176 votes; businessman Ernie Abella  (Independent) with 154 votes, Dr. Jose Montemayor (DPP-Democratic Party of the Philippines) with  165 votes; former Defense and national security secretary Norberto Gonzales (PDSP-Philippine Democratic Socialist Party) with 106 votes and businessman Mangondato Faizal (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi) with 57 votes.
    Marcos’  running Uniteam  mate Davao City Mayor and vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte  (Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats) emerged winner as Vice President with 69,970 votes  followed by vice presidential aspirants  incumbent last termer  Senate President and vice presidential candidate Vicente Sotto (National Peoples Coalition)  with 10,002 votes;  incumbent re-electionist Senator Francis Kiko Pangilinan (Liberal Party) with 6,977 and Doc Willie Ong (Aksyon Demokratiko) with  2,625 votes.
    Mountain Province incumbent Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr (NPC- Nationalist Peoples Coalition) retained his post with 52,927 votes over congressional candidate former Sabangan mayor-engineer Jupiter Dominguez (Lakas-CMD) with 41,437 votes.
    Incumbent Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan (PDPLaban) also retained his post having secured 76,104 votes against gubernatorial candidate Albert Paday-os (Ind) with 9,121 votes.  
    Also, incumbent Vice Gov. Francis Tauli (PDP Laban) had 43,143 votes against vice gubernatorial candidate Bauko mayor Abraham Akilit (Nationalista Party) with 40,240 votes and Alexandre Claver (+) (Aksyon) with 2,489 votes.
    In Mountain Province, Number 1 senatorial candidate actor Robin Padilla  (PDPLaban) won  with overwhelming 52,599 votes  followed by broadcaster Ramon Tulfo (Ind) with 45,150 votes; former senator and incumbent Antique congresswoman Loren Legarda with 37,077 votes; former Ifugao congressman Teddy  Baguilat (LP) with 34, 446 votes; former Highways (DPWH)  Secretary Mark Villar (Nationalista Party) with 34,194 votes;  former senator and Taguig-Pateros congressman Allan Peter Cayetano  (Ind)  with 29,105 votes;  re-electionist senator Sherwin Gatchalian( NPC) with 25 591 votes;   former senator Jingoy Estrada ( PMP-Pwersa ng Masang Pillipino) with 25,569 votes;  former senator JV Ejercito  (NPC) with 24528  votes ; former senator  and Sorsogon governor Francis Chiz Escudero, former  senator Joel Villanueva and former senator and former vice president Jejomar Binay(UNA-United Nationalist Alliance) with 23,961 votes.
    Top five winning party lists in Mountain Province were IWI(Igorot Warriors International) with 9,702 votes, Peace Epanaw with 9,431 votes; ACT-CIS with  3597 votes; Philreca with 3,880 votes and DIWA with  2,416 votes.
    Winning Board Members for District 1 composed of Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig, Bontoc and Sadanga were former board member Ezra Gomez (LDP-Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino) with 19,066 votes; incumbent board member Joshua Fronda (PDPLaban) with 18,931; incumbent board member Onsat Federino (PDPLaban) with 18,275 votes and former board member Carino Tamang (+) with 18,233 votes.
    Nurse by profession Angel Moises Tamang filed his certificate of candidacy and certificate of nomination and acceptance on April 11 as a substitute to his father board member candidate Cariño Tamang who died of gunshot wounds on March 6 this year. 
    District 2 composed of Sagada, Besao, Sabangan, Tadian and Sagada recorded winning Board Members incumbent mayor of Besao Johnson Bantog (Ind) who got 24,876 votes followed by Ricardo Masidong (NP) with 23,222 votes; incumbent board member Henry Bastian (PDPLaban) with 19,159 votes and incumbent board member Jose Danglose (PDP Laban) with117,407 votes.
    Meantime, unofficial counts from Comelec data transmitted to Halalan 2022 of ABS-CBN showed most mayors of Mountain Province were new.
    The municipality of Bauko has incumbent board member of Mt Province Randy Awisan (PDPLaban) with 10,014 votes who won as Mayor of Bauko; and Vice Mayor Badecao, Bartolo (NP) with 6,367 votes.
The winning councilors of Bauko are Sili, Ashley (PDP Laban) of 8,295 votes, Lumpisa, Gil (Ind) Of 7,261 Votes,     Tanggacan, Tomas (PDPLbn) of 6,053 votes; Capuyan, Edna (Ind) of 6,035 votes; Patnay, Eduardo (Ind) of 5,858 votes; Gaoken, Mario (Ind) of 5,639 votes; Codod, Jackson (Ind) of 5,548 votes and Taganas, Arcadio (Pdplbn) of 5,466 votes.
    Winning Besao mayor was Butch Bacwaden  (IND) with 2,686 votes and winning vice mayor Elizabeth Buyagan (IND) with 2,602 votes.
    Winning councilors of Besao are priest Ambucay, Johnny (Ind) with 2,258 votes; Pekas, Arleigh (Ind) with 1,993 Votes; Clemente, Raphael (Ind) 1,883 votes; Lacsigen, Joel (Ind) with 1,738 votes; Mangallay, Marcos (Ind) 1,733 votes; Ballang, Benny (Ind) 1,566 votes; Bosigen, Henry (Pdplbn) with 1,540 votes; and Beyden, Alfredo (Ind) with 1,417 votes.
    Incumbent Sabangan Mayor Marcial Lawilao Jr (PFP) retained his post with 4,516 votes and vice mayor elect Rodolfo Mencion (IND) as 2,762 votes.
    Winner-Councilors of Sabangan are Bacog, Roman (Ind) with 3,084 votes; Lipawen, Venancio (Ind) with 3,032 votes; Boguilis, Henrico (Ind) with 2,917 votes; Altaki, Crispin (Ind) With 2,876 votes; Litilit, Enrique (Pdplbn) with 2,874 votes; Malamion, Wily (Ind) With 2,672 votes; Bas-Ilen, Roger (NP) with 2,581 votes and Sudicalan, Gabin Rhey (Ind) with 2,572 votes.
    In the tourist town of Sagada, incumbent Vice Mayor and contender for mayor Felicito Dula  (IND) won with 3,984 votes. And so with incumbent councilor David Tallusen Buyagan (IND) who won 3,514 votes as vice mayor.
Winning Councilors of Sagada were a lone woman number one winning councilor candidate Taltala, Andrea (Ind) with 3,270 votes; Gomgom-o, Kapon (NP) with 2,707 votes; Aclayan, Mokyat (Ind) with 2,546 votes; Dapliyan, Davis (NP) with 2,361 votes; Padawil, Tambol (Ind) with 2,355 votes; Lumbaya, Fermin (Ind) with 2,347 votes; Capuyan, Benjamin (Ind) With 2,310 votes; and Kibatay, Felicito Jr. (Ind) with 2,182 votes.
    Tadian with unopposed incumbent mayor Constito Masweng (PDPLBN) with 8,193 votes retained his post and so with unopposed George Bisen Jr. (Ind) with 7,606 votes as vice mayor.
    Winning councilors of Tadian were Kidit, Juniper Sr. (NP) with 5,353 votes; Ladiong, William (Ind) with 4,978 Votes; Adeban, Rey (Ind) with 4,806 votes; Malamnao, John Jr. (Ind) with 4,663 votes;     Cawalo, Edmund (Ind) with 4,409 votes; Balangoy, Adolf (Ind) with 3,837 votes; Atipen, Laurence (Lakas) with 3,833 votes; and Abadod, James (Ind) With 3,764 votes.
    In District 1, incumbent Mayor Clark Ngaka of Barlig won with 2,370 Votes along with vice mayor Delio Focad (Ind) with1,853 votes.
    Winning Barlig councilors are Sapguian, Benjie (NP) with 1,471 votes; Agyao, Rolly (Ind) with 1,376 votes; Awe, Rodrigo (NP) with 1,368 votes; Polec-Eo, Boas (NP) with 1,328 votes; Mad-Eo, Consuelo (Ind) with 1,293 votes; Awingan, Conard (Ind) with 1,186 votes; Sidchayao, Edmundo (Ind) with 1,138 votes and  Kumanab, Artimas (Ind) with 1,107 votes.
    In the capital town of Bontoc, incumbent Councilor Tudlong, Chagsen (PRP) won with 3,378 votes with a close fight with incumbent Councilor lawyer Patingan, Alsannyster (Ind) with 3,215 votes and mayoral aspirant Dacyon, Robert (Ind) with 3,063 votes. Unopposed incumbent Vice Mayor Kabluyen, Eusebio (Ind) remained with 9,363 votes.
    Winning Councilors for Bontoc Municipality are Sokoken, Dan Evert (Ind) with 5,054 votes; Kalangeg, Jupiter Jule (Ind) with 5,031 votes; Bacala, Glenn (Ind) with 4,765 votes; Pongad, Timothy Jr. (Ind) with 4,632 votes; Kedawen, Peter (Ind) with 4,329 votes; Chumacog, Julian (Ind) with 4,174 votes; Odsey, Benedict Ii (NP) with 3,907 votes and  Okko, Viola (NP) with 3,844 votes.
    Incumbent Natonin Mayor Jose Agagon (Ind) won with 3,737 votes while    Lapasen, Raymundo (Ind) with 4,472 votes won as vice mayor.
    Winning Councilors of Natonin are  Bulawe, Rafael (Ind) with 3,328 votes; Biangalen,Jose (Ind) with 2,974 votes; Chumilang, Jerry (Ind) with 2,875 votes;  Pangsiw, Leon (Ind) with 2,817 votes; Magranga, Fernando Jr. (Ind) with 2,699 votes; Linggayo, Fernandez (Ind) with 2,615 votes; Fangonon, Oscar (Ind) with 2,481 votes and Todco, Jimmy (Ind) with 2,454 votes.
    Vote -rich Paracelis’ winning Mayor is Avelino Amangyen (Ind) with 9,220 votes followed by incumbent Mayor Dr. Ayangwa, Marcos (Ind) with 5,185 votes.
    At press time, the Comelec second division ordered the cancellation of the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Avelino Amangyen for lying about a conviction in a criminal case in an April 19, 2022 ruling.
    The Comelec division ruled “in view of the respondent’s conviction by final judgment of an offense which carried with it the accessory penalty of perpetual absolute disqualification, Respondent (Amangyen) is in effect ineligible to run for office pursuant to Section 12 of the OEC (Omnibus Election Code).
    Such ineligibility, which took effect as soon as the judgment against him attained finality contradicts material representations in his COC.”
    Winning Paracelis vice mayor is Djarma Rafael (Ind) with 6,968 votes
    Winning Councilors of Paracelis are Basungit, Lito (Pdplbn) with 7,663 votes; Calunnag, Crispin (Ind) with 6,654 votes; Gusimat, Ateneo Sr. (NP) with 5,697 votes; Lappao, Marciano Jr. (Ind) with 5,348 votes; Banggolay, John (Ind) with 5,290 votes; Assud, Alfredo Jr. (Ind) with 4,624 votes; Pudlao, Andrew Sr. (Ind) with 4,334 votes and  Sinoli, Willy (Ind) With 4,332 votes.
    Sadanga’s candidate for mayor the late Mayor Engr Gabino Ganggangan (NP) won with 2,757 votes; and winning vice mayor Paul Farong-ey (NP) with 3,086 votes.
    The late Mayor Ganggangan died due to cardiac arrest January 29 this year and substituted by his son,  Engr Adolf “Angili” Ganggangan.
    Winning  Councilors of Sadanga are Ackut, Geraldo (Ind) with 1,730 votes; Fattit, Alonso (Ind) with 1,582 Votes; Dawadeo, Dongpop (Pdplbn) With 1,543 votes; Ayao-Ao, Albert (Ind) with 1,524 votes; Gayyaman, Jonathan (Ind) with 1,497 votes; Chakiwag, Rufino (Ind) with 1,408 votes; Atiwen, Ruben (Pdplbn) with 1,357 votes; and Terpaken, Jose Jr. (Ind) with 1,346 votes. – With a report from Alpine Killa-Malwagay

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