THE local ruling party Padayon Pilipino on Tuesday, May 22, said it does not only hold the majority of the winning village chiefs but the winning youth officials as well in the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls in Cagayan de Oro City.
Former city councilor President Elipe, spouse of the party's president councilor Nadia Emano-Elipe, said around 42 winning SK chairpersons were either members or friends of the party.
Speaking on behalf of the party, Elipe said this excludes SK candidates who won under its allied political group, Centrist Democratic Party (CDP) led by the city's former 2nd district representative Rufus Rodriguez.
"Sa among na-identify is majority sa SK nga nagdaog is friends sa Padayon Pilipino not withstanding the possibility of disqualification nga gi-review sa Comelec because of age requirement,"Elipe said.
"So naa pay mahitabo nga adjustments but less the disqualification issues mga 42 among na-identify sa among pag-kwenta,"he added.
Elipe said they would likely gather all winning SK and village officials who were friends with the party for a mass oath taking before they officially assume their posts on June 30.
Elipe identifies some 51 village chief-elect who have similar principles with the Padayon Pilipino party, excluding the common candidates of Rodriguez and the administration who also won the polls.
The son-in-law of the party's founder ex-mayor Vicente Emano refers the newly elected village officials as friends of the party because they share the same principles which is basically rooted in service of the poor.
"Naa siguro'y mga 4 or 5 nga common candidate ni Rufus and the administration," Elipe said.
The party bared list of candidates whom they will field for the Liga ng mga Barangay elections in August.
Elipe said this includes Aaron Neri of Macasandig; Barangay 40 village chief Yan Lam Lim, Barangay 17 chair Jericho Ebababcol and reelected Macabalan chairman Norbel Saa.
Elipe added the party's decision will be based on consensus.
"We are looking at candidates for ABC nga naa nay experience ug ang panglantaw is in line sa prinsipyo sa Padayon Pilipino,"Elipe said.
"Ebabacol has been in the city council as SK federated president; Neri was a former ABC president; Lim was the present ABC president and naa pud recommendations like Saa. Mao ni mga pangalan nanggawas but we make decision based on consensus,"Elipe said.
However, Elipe said the possibility still remains that village chiefs who are affiliated with the party may jump ship to the administration and those associated with the administration may transfer to the dominating party.
Elipe said the party wants to give the people in the city the best representation, that their voices will be heard through the SK and ABC representatives in the city council.