In a historic election for the officers of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) in the city, two posts, including the highest spot, were left unfilled.
In yesterday’s election attended by 157 out of 182 barangay chairs, election officers found that no one filed a candidacy for the president and auditor during the filing of candidacy on July 24 to 26.
Vicky Sarcena, the city director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, said it’s the first time in the city that no one filed for candidacy for presidency.
Reports said no barangay captain wanted to contest the candidacy of Catalunan Grande Barangay Captain January Duterte, who was expected to run for her second term.
Despite the absence of a candidate for the presidency, they continued with the elections.
Barangay 5-A chair Edgar Ibuyan Sr, ran unopposed for the post of vice president, and got 141 votes.
Eight members of the Board of Directors were elected. They were Eufemia Baquirel (Barangay Mahayag) with 149 votes, Lilibeth Al-ag (Toril Proper) with 119 votes, Ralph Abella (Vicente Hizon Sr.) with 105 votes, Jessie Mar Culaste (Dumoy) with 101 votes, Jupiter Jorgio (24-C) with 80 votes, Eduardo Alterado (Vicente Duterte) with 78 votes, Allan Simo-ag (Lasang) with 75 votes and Lito Lapitan (Tigatto) with 73 votes. Five others filed their candidacy for Board of Directors but failed to win.
Sarcena said Ibuyan’s fate to assume the ABC president in the city still hangs pending the decision of the national leadership of ABC in Manila.
The result of the elections will be submitted today to the national level of ABC for appropriate action.
Pending the final decision of the ABC national headquarters, members of the city’s ABC should convene to decide if Ibuyan may assume as the acting president, Sarenas said.
But without any president, Sarcena said Ibuyan, as elected ABC vice president, will have a temporary seat in the regular session of the city council. However, he could not yet enjoy the benefits as a regular member of the city council.
“Based on the guidelines, should no one file for presidency, the officer-elect can only assume the vice-president position although it will still depend to the Constitution and By-Laws (CBL) of the National Liga ng mga Barangay,” Sarcena explained.
She said they still have to wait for the national ABC before they can call for a special election for president and auditor.
Ibuyan expressed gratitude to his colleagues who voted for him despite having no opponent. The former city councilor also mentioned that he will continue his programs and services when he was still a city councilor. These include educational and social and medical services.
