The 434 municipal councilors (kagawads) comprising the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) – Bohol Chapter has chosen Gloria Gementiza as their president for the next three years.
Gementiza, the no.4 councilor from San Isidro emerged winner over Antequera’s no.1 councilor, Cecilia Rebosura in a tightly contested election that separated the two by the slimmest margin of 20 votes – 201 to 181, while Tagbilaran City councilor Vicente Polinar got a measly 23 votes.
Politics, again reared it’s proverbial ugly head, as councilors, who refused to be named, told DYRD Balita that they were recipients of “financial blessings” from candidates, in exchange for their votes, ranging from P3,000 to P5,000 per vote.
DYRD Balita learned that candidates were backed by top officials of the province with their party affiliation as shown by their certificates of candidacy (COC) during the May 9, 2016 elections as indicators of their political backers.
The Liberal Party under whose councilors ran during the May 9, 2016 elections fielded the most number of candidates – 19, followed by the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) – 4, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-LBN) and Independents – 6 each, Nationalista Party (NP) – 1 and Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) – 1.
Voting started at 2PM with the results announced at wee hours of Thursday
Nine councilors ran uncontested – Sikatuna’s no.7 Jeremias Ellorimo – Executive Vice President, representing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd district as vice presidents were Tubigon’s no. 2 Delia Laso, Clarin’s no. 7 Rick Amarille and Lila’s no. 3 Francis Liray respectively.
Also, running unchallenged were Sagbayan’s no. 8 Epitacio Canino, Jr., – Treasurer, Batuan’s no. 1 councilor Delfin Hingpit – Assistant Treasurer, Maribojoc’s no. 6 Arnie Turco – Auditor, Talibon’s no.3 Dave Evangelista – 2nd district Press Relations Officer (PRO) and Baclayon’s no.2 Darwin Cuajao -Assistant Business Manager.
382 councilors of the 434 members cast their votes for more than 35 candidates vying for 26 positions during the PCL elections held on Wednesday at the Bohol Tropics Resort Hotel.
Panglao’s no.7 Rogelin Degoma was elected as the League’s Secretary General with 126 votes followed by Jagna’s no. 3 Teofisto Pagar  107 and San Miguel’s no. 1 Gerry Garay 77 votes.
For Deputy Secretary General, Guindulman’s no. 5 Marivic Golosino won against Jagna’s no. 4 Maricris Jamora 196-90.
Danao’s no. 1 Ma. Celeste Cepedoza bested Mabini’s no. 4 Vic Jotojot for 172-129 for Vice President for Internal Affairs while Buenavista no. 4 Atty. Jun Nunez won by toss coin over Anda’s no. 7 Atty. Ferdinand Berongoy coming up with identical votes of 134 for Vice President for External Affairs.
The eight Board of Directors with their corresponding votes – Dimiao’s no. 6 Atty. Nicodemus Tago, 273, Carmen’s no.7 Ramonito Torrefranca, 254, Tagbilaran City’s no. 2 – 210, Bilar’s no.5 Danilo Cal – 167, Loboc’s no. 4 Luisito Digal – 163, Tagbilaran City’s no. 7 Jonas Cacho – 148, Calape’s no. 1 Teodoro Ruizol – 140 and Sierra Bullones no. 1 Michael Doria – 129 votes.
Also elected were Mabini’s no.3 Ongie Grace Lim as Auditor over Loboc’s no. 8 Teresita Labunog 153-136, for 1st district PRO, elected was Calape’s no. 3 Gerry Regalado over Catigbi-an’s no. 4 Esteban Angilan, Jr 113-85, for 3rd district PRO, it was Sevilla’s no. 2 Inday Ayco over Jagna’s no. 6 Anthony Aniscal 1`36-72 and President Carlos P. Garcia’s no. 3 Lovely Solon over Balilihan’s no. 5 Eliseo Pabe, Jr. 143-105 for Business Manager.
Voting started at 2PM with the results announced at wee hours of Thursday.
The new 2016-17 officers of the PCL-Bohol Chapter immediately took their oath of office before 1st District Board Member Atty. Vencencio Arcamo after being proclaimed by the PCL Election Committee headed by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Louisella Lucino.
Gementiza will sit as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) representing the PCL. (Chito M. Visarra and Rey Tutas)