Cojuangco’s bets sweep Negros ABC polls

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) won all the positions for the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) provincial federation of Negros Occidental, but with only one vote.

Although all the candidates of Love Negros, a local party of the NPC swept the ABC posts, the United Negros Alliance (UNA) led by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. fought a good fight in Wednesday’s neck-and-neck race conducted at the capitol.

The Love Negros candidates led by Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson garnered 16 votes each, while the UNA bets had 15 votes each, showing a “straight ticket” voting  for both parties.

There are 31 ABC presidents from the province’s 19 towns and 12 cities, excluding Bacolod.

Newly elected ABC provincial federation president Mark Cui of San Carlos City, thanked NPC founder and businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. who he said was instrumental in their victory.

Marañon brushed aside reports that Cojuangco’s hands was seen in the ABC elections, noting that the tycoon did not even do it during the barangay polls in Oct. 28.

The govenor said he accepted the results of the elections.

Cui’s runningmates who also won the race were barangay captains Alexander Palanca of Victorias City – vice president; Fernando Dolendo of Talisay City – auditor; and Francisco Jose Bilbao of Hinobaan, Virgilio Gamao of Escalante City, Jose Marcelito Garcia of Moises Padilla, Antonio Luis Gonzaga of Murcia, Ricky Rebatado of Don Salvador Benedicto, Benjamin Sian of Himamaylan City and Soledad Leonor Suatengco of Pulupandan.

The eighth candidate in Cui’s lineup, Sergio Piansay of Bago City, was disqualified as he was a member of the board of canvassers.

Cui and Palanca defeated UNA’s bets, barangay captains Eduardo Javier of Cadiz City and Annabelle Bermudo of La Carlota City, respectively.

Cui will sit as board member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Meanwhile, Noli Villarosa, chairman of Barangay Tangub was elected president of the ABC city federation of Bacolod. He was unopposed.

Bacolod is a separate legislative district from the provincial government.