In Talisay City Cabañero beats Ylanan in ABC poll for president

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Bulacao captain Raul Cabañero of Alayon prevailed yesterday over barangay Linao captain Ofelia "Fe" Ylanan of the Liberal Party in the Association of Barangay Councils election for president in Talisay City by a margin of just two votes, 12-10.

Cabañero, who is on his third and last term, thanked his colleagues and the Gullases, namely, former first district representative Eduardo Gullas and incumbent first district Congressman Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas for their support.

He said he will pursue his plan to construct a building for the ABC.

Cabañero is expected to attend today's city council session, which he will sit as an ex-officio councilor.

Ylanan has conceded defeat.

"I accept the result of the election. It was a clean election," Ylanan said.

Twenty-two barangays comprise the city.

The elections involving chapters of city or municipal Ligas, which are synchronized nationwide, took place yesterday as provided under Memorandum Circular No. 2013-139 issued last December 2 by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Local Government Code of 1991 provides that "there shall be an organized Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) chapters at the municipal, city, provincial, and metropolitan political subdivision levels, which shall elect their respective officers and members."

Election of the officers of the provincial ABC chapter will be held on December 18 based on the same Memorandum Circular of the DILG that cites Republic Act 9340 as stipulating that "the Liga ng mga Barangay at the municipal, city and provincial levels shall within 30 days after the barangay election, conduct elections for ex-officio positions in the sanggunians under the supervision of the DILG."

Following the Dec. 9 and 18 elections of officers in the local levels, elections in the regional and national chapters will be held on Jan. 16 next year, the DILG circular said.  (FREEMAN)