Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Calderon ends stint; his cousin takes over
THE 17-year-old cousin of outgoing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation Provincial President Ramon Martin Calderon will replace him as the head of the federation.
Bea Mercede Calderon of Samboan was elected by 45 SK presidents from all over the province yesterday.
She will be sitting as an ex-officio member of the Provincial Board.
Calderon was the only one nominated to the position. To formalize her election, only five of those present were asked to vote for her.
In her speech, Bea Mercede said that even if she is “not rich in experience,” she is “rich in dedication” to bring the voice of the youth to legislation and be heard, as well as to continue what Martin started.
Fraternity
In an interview, she said she will focus on education and drug problems as these are the issues confronting the youth now.
Recognizing fraternities as another problem young people are facing, Calderon said she will find ways to divert the youth’s attention from these groups.
She noted that instead of fostering brotherhood, some fraternities have deteriorated into being just gangs.
Bea Mercede replaced Ramon Martin as the SK Federation president of the 15-barangay town of Samboan, Cebu.
She represents Poblacion, Samboan and she ran uncontested in the Oct. 29 polls as well as in last week’s election of federation officers of the towns.
Bea Mercede and Ramon Martin are grandchildren of former assemblyman and Cocofed Party-list representative Emerito Calderon, who is now the newly elected president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) of Samboan.
Bea Mercede is a second year medical technology student of Velez College. She finished high school in the Center of International Education (CIE). She is the eldest child of Emerito Calderon Jr. and Czarina, both physicians.
Bea Mercede’s uncle and Ramon Martin’s father, Raymond is now the incumbent mayor.
Raymond’s twin brother, Peter John, who served as mayor of Samboan for two terms, is now a member of the Provincial Board representing the second district.
Yesterday’s election was conducted by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Ed Jamisola as chairman of the Board of Election Supervisors, Commission on Elections Provincial Office officer-in-charge Boy Gonnie Neis as vice chairman, and Provincial Secretary Anecita Pasaylo as third member.
The officers were nominated publicly but voting was done through secret balloting.
Empress Lozano (Santander) was chosen as the chairman of the election committee while her members were Victor Dosdos (Pilar) and John Philip Momo (Ginatilan).
The other elected officers yesterday were Argao’s Richard de los Reyes (vice president); Consolacion’s Madel Hyacinth Hererra (secretary); Danao City’s Dessie Anne Lawas (treasurer); Talisay City’s April Marie Cabigas (auditor); San Francisco’s Alfredo Arquillano (PRO,) and Bantayan’s Ron Michael Legaspino (sergeant-at-arms).
Fifty SK presidents were expected yesterday but five failed to make it to the election. (MBG)
