Tangke chief recognizes bet for ABC top position

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Tangke chief Perlas Cabanes yesterday denied she is questioning the candidacy of their party's bet for the Association of Barangay Councils presidency on December 7.

Cabanes's denial came amid reports that she went to their party leader, first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas, to ask him that she should be the one endorsed rather than barangay Dumlog captain Charles Basillote.

"No, dili na tinuod. Wa ko niadto ni Sir Eddie para mohangyo niya.

Girespeto nako ang desisyon sa grupo nga ang senior maoy padaganun, ug desisyon ni sir Eddie nga si Kap.

Charles Basillote ang among kandidato," said Cabanes in an interview with the media.

Cabanes, who has just won her second-term of office, admitted that he is Basillote's vice president.

Basillote, who is on his third term as captain, is one of the two senior barangay chiefs of the administration party, the other being Jose Juarez of the mountain barangay of Tapul.

In a separate interview, majority leader Rodi Cabigas, one of the leaders of the party, said one of the first qualifications to be considered is "seniority," and although Juarez also qualifies to this, Basillote got the nod of the majority of his fellow barangay captains and also of the city officials.

Basillote, the oldest son of city Councilor Dennis Basillote, will be contesting the ABC presidency seat against the opposition candidate Marlowe Dagohoy of Biasong.

Dagohoy was last term's ABC auditor, and acting president after then ABC president Osmundo Manreal, an administration guy, left for the USA shortly after he won as first councilman of barangay Pooc.

His vice president Semy Cabuenas had vacated his seat after being elected as city councilor last May 10.

Cabigas said they have 15 of the 22 barangay chiefs on their side, which means they would win the seat again this time.

If Basillote clinches the spot, he would then become the ninth member of the powerful administration bloc to join the city council.

The SKF presidency has already been won by the administration yesterday via its candidate Carmel John Burlas of barangay Lagtang. (FREEMAN)