Monday, December 24, 2007 BO-PK's 11 allies to run unopposed in ABC polls
ONLY the race for Cebu City’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) vice presidency will have a semblance of competition on Dec. 29.
Except for Pahina Central’s Sisinio Andales, Guadalupe’s Eugenio Faelnar and 10 other barangay captains under his slate will run unopposed during the election.
“Gawas sa line-up ni Jingjing Faelnar, wala’y laing ni-file gawas sa usa nga niingon independent kuno siya,” said Bacayan Barangay Captain Zenaida Colina of the three-member committee on nominations.
Labangon Barangay Captain Felix Abella beat the deadline last Saturday midnight for the filing of certificates of candidacy.
In an interview, he cited his experience as former regional director of the Bureau of Lands (now Land Management Services under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and managerial skills as his edge over the reelectionist Andales.
Presidency
He has intended to run for ABC president when Faelnar, early last month, said he was no longer interested to run for reelection.
But with Faelnar getting the consensus of majority of the 80 barangay captains, Abella said he decided to take on a more surmountable foe.
“Lisud-lisod man gud kung si Jingjing. Daghang ‘ta’g ikabangga. Maong ari lang ta sa vice (president),” he told Sun.Star Cebu in a telephone interview (Running against Jingjing will mean opposing the majority’s decision. I will just run for vice president).
Andales, on the other hand, said he was no pushover, saying that as a lawyer, he has helped a lot of barangay captains with their legal problems and he will be able to continue doing so if reelected.
Democracy
Specifically, he said, it was on his term as vice president that the ABC board, under Faelnar’s leadership, built the ABC building at the South Road Properties.
“Demokrasya man ni siya. Everyone is entitled to run for whatever position (in the ABC elections). Let the barangay captains choose who is better qualified and competent to serve as Faelnar’s right hand,” he said.
Sun.Star Cebu tried reaching Sambag I Barangay Captain Jerry Guardo, who was earlier endorsed by the opposition to run against Faelnar, but calls to his phone went unanswered.
Opposition stalwart and Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos earlier said they will boycott the elections if Faelnar will be the only candidate against Guardo.
In a separate interview, Faelnar said there is still a chance that Abella, whom he considers a Bando Osmeńa Pundok Kauswgan ally, will step aside for Andales. (RHM)
