Gov suspended for hitting radioman gets new term

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines   â€“ Kalinga Gov. Josel Baac, who was suspended two years ago for hitting a broadcast journalist, was re-elected overwhelmingly in the recent midterm polls.

Baac, who ran under the administration’s Liberal Party, cruised for his second term as governor of the northern Cordillera province after posting 63,213 votes or almost twice the 33,498 votes garnered by his closest rival, Conrado Dieza Jr.

Baac grabbed headlines in 2001 for assaulting broadcaster Jerome Tabangay for his being critical  of the governor’s administration right inside the announcer’s booth of the government-owned dzRK Radyo ng Bayan in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

His intention of going to the station at that time, Baac earlier said, was to clear the issues hurled against him on air. Unfortunately, he said, it resulted in the two of them struggling to get hold of the microphone, hitting Tabangay in the process. 

The incident resulted in Baac’s one-month suspension by Malacañang for conduct unbecoming of a public officer on June 27, 2012 or almost a year after the incident on June 7, 2011.

Baac’s allies also won, including Vice Gov. Allen Jesse Mangaoang who got  52,140 votes against his rival Farnaw Claver’s 45,586 votes. 

Also getting another term was Rep. Manuel Agyao of Kalinga’s lone congressional district, who received 68,279 votes against the 35,233 votes of his opponent, lawyer Macario Duguiang. 

In Tabuk City, incumbent Mayor Ferdinand Tubban also won over his rival, former congressman Lawrence Wacnang. Incumbent Vice Mayor Darwin Estrañero was unopposed. 

Also re-elected for the Kalinga provincial board (District 1) were Dave Odiem and Chester Alunday, along with newly elected board members Alonzo Saclag Jr. and Emilio Kitongan.

For District 2, proclaimed board members were re-electionist Gelacio Bongngat and first-timers Camilo Lammawin Jr., Mark Aldrich Diasen, and lawyer Jerry Puday, son of former board member William Puday.  

In the municipal level, most of the Baac-allied incumbents also retained their posts like Balbalan town Mayor Kenneth Dale Mangaoang; Lubuagan’s incumbent Mayor Johnny Dickpus; Pasil town Mayor James Edduba who was unopposed; Mayor Marcelo de la Cruz Jr. of Rizal town; and Tanudan’s Mayor Johnwell Tiggangay.

Lawyer Jimmy Dasayon succeeded his father, Mayor Irving Dasayon of Pinukpuk town. The outgoing mayor ran unopposed for vice mayor.