Talisay dad denies wife-for-ABC-prexy yarn

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Councilor Val Ylanan of the minority bloc yesterday denied he is egging his wife to run for the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) presidency, saying he would rather support those more senior than his wife.

"I think it's too early for her, bago pa lang siya. Sa Linao usa siya, and besides, daghan mga seniors, mas maayo sila nalang kay mas daghan na sila og experience," said Ylanan in an interview shortly after the opposition barangay chiefs and Sangguniang Kabataan heads took their oath of office before Vice Governor Greg Sanchez.

Ylanan, the third member of the opposition camp in the city council, also rejected rumors that he has already been negotiating with other newly elected barangay chiefs to vote for his wife as the ABC president and his son, Val Joseph, as SK Federation president.

"Puro ra na rumors, para ra gyud na hatagan ko og intriga. Kay og ako lay magbuot, mas maayo sa barangay lang sa sila," said Ylanan.

He also pooh-poohed rumors that he has been giving money to barangay chiefs and SK chairmen just so they would vote for his wife and son during elections.

The ABC and the SKF presidents will sit in the council as ex-officio members.

"Nganung buhaton man tawon na nako, nga kung akoy pabuton mas mayo dili nalang sila moapil ana. Wala pa man pud ka-decide ang grupo kung kinsay padaganun," Ylanan said.

He said both his wife and son would also rather just want to remain in the barangay than serve all 22 villages of the city being representatives in the council.

He said the decision would still come from their party.

Seven barangay chiefs in Talisay City took their oath of office yesterday before Sanchez, one of the local leaders of the Liberal Party.

The seven barangay chiefs are from Linao, Poblacion, Biasong, Camp 4, Mohon, Lawaan I and II.

Fifteen of the 22 barangay chiefs of the city have already pledged their allegiance to the administration camp. Given the number, it appears that the administration has the majority.

As to the SK, Ylanan said they have the "11 or 12" on their side, as of yesterday.

The newly elected barangay and SK officials are set to assume office at the start of December. (FREEMAN)