Candidates for BCLP running Unopposed

CEBU, Philippines - In the absence of clear opposition, the 15 candidates for the Barangay Councilor’s League of the Philippines (BCLP) elections in Cebu City only need one vote each to win on February 12.

BCLP consultant Helen Francisco and BCLP secretariat head Edna Pero told The FREEMAN this is the first time in the BCLP elections in Cebu City that candidates are running unopposed.

The 560 barangay councilmen from the city’s 80 barangays will be electing a president, executive vice president, secretary, treasurer, VP for the south district, VP for the north district and eight board members.

Kasambagan councilmen Franklin Ong of Kasambagan, Reynaldo Zamora of Zapatera and Garry Lao of Tejero filed their certificate of candidacy last week. Ong is running for president, Zamora is running for executive vice president, and Lao is running for secretary.

Eddie Cabulao of Tisa is running for vice president in the south, Ray Francisco of Carreta is running for vice president in the north, Dionilo Yap of Cogon Ramos is running for treasurer, and Joel Sadaya of Zapatera is running for auditor.

Rex Millan of Kalubihan, Joanne Baybaton of Lorega San Miguel, Mark dela Cruz of Mabolo and Lauron Rey of Cambinocot are running for members of the Board of Directors in the north while Sidney Tabucal of Sawang Calero, Eusebia Eslanan of Sinsin, Oliver Ocampo of Kalunasan and William Tajanlangit of Poblacion Pardo are running for members of the Board in the south.

Francisco, former president of the then Liga ng mga Barangay Kagawad ng Pilipinas (LBKP), himself was surprised that no other councilors expressed interest for BCLP.

The elections in 2007 became controversial when former mayor and current South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña, the founder of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), endorsed former barangay councilman and now Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon for BCLP president.

Gianzon was running against Suba barangay councilman Nicanor Malazarte who is closely identified with the Mayor Michael Rama being among the so-called “Rama Boys.” 

Osmeña personally wrote the city’s 560 barangay councilors informing them of his endorsement.

Unlike the president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, the elected president of BCLP will not be seating in the City Council.

The BCLP is in charge of organizing activities like sports tournaments that would benefit barangay councilors in Cebu City. — /JMO (FREEMAN)