3 FABC posts to remain vacant until next brgy polls

CEBU, Philippines - Three positions in the Provincial Federation of Associations of Barangay Councils (FABC) in Cebu would remain vacant until the next barangay elections.

FABC president and ex-officio member of the Provincial Board Celestino "Tining" Martinez III said it is no longer necessary to fill in the vacancies considering the upcoming barangay elections is already in October.

The vacancies were caused by the elections of the three officers to higher positions in the May 9, 2016 elections. They are FABC vice president Emerito Calderon who is now the mayor of Samboan, auditor Mercedita Apura who is now a councilor of Carcar City and director Thomas Mark Durano who is now the vice mayor of Danao City.

The FABC seat in the PB was left vacant for four months following the dismissal from service of Martinez in August last year because of his alleged involvement in the P6-million fertilizer scam in 2004 when he was mayor of Bogo City.

Martinez returned to the PB last December after the Office of the Ombudsman reversed itself and dismissed the administrative case against him.

During the vacancy period, nobody assumed the post in the PB since Calderon was already elected as mayor and only the vice president shall fill in as provided for under the by-laws of the Liga ng mga Barangay while nobody also called for a special election.

Meanwhile, Martinez also said that the designation of the 22 new ABC presidents in the component cities and municipalities of the province have been confirmed already.

They occupied the post of the ABC presidents who were either elected to higher positions in the May 9, 2016 elections or were removed from office.

They will finish the remaining term of office of their predecessors as ex-officio member of their respective sanggunian until the next barangay elections.

They are Johnny Arriesgado of San Fernando, Justino Dakay of Naga City, Daphne Babao of Carcar City, Ma. Patrocinio Castroverde of Boljoon, Rosalina Bilocura of Samboan, Rogelio Ybañez of Aloguinsan, Urbie Migallen of Asturias, Elma Bargamento of Barili, Jesus Managaytay of Pinamungajan.

Pio Yurango of Bogo City, Benito Mansueto of Madridejos, Rene Olivar of Medellin, Santiago Villamor of Carmen, Froilan Quiño of Compostela, Lovell Mahinay of Danao City, Leonardo Moneva of Sogod, Roger Linaboc of Consolacion, Amalia Ejurango of Malabuyoc, Lope Camallere of Ronda and Meliza May Quirante of Dumanjug. —/FPL (FREEMAN)