Rama allies sweep councilmen’s league

Danilo Almendras, DILG Cebu City director, city election officer Marchel Sarno and Butch Librando, BCLP election committee member proclaim the newly elected BCLP officials lead by president Raymond Garcia, councilman of barangay Kamputhaw.

IT’S a landslide victory for Team Rama bets in the elections of the Barangay Councilors’ League of the Philippines (BCLP) Cebu City Chapter.

Kamputhaw barangay councilman Raymond Garcia’s entire slate swept the elections, beating the BOPK-supported team of outgoing BCLP president Franklyn Ong of barangay Kasambagan.

Garcia won with 306 votes against Ong’s 215.

In an interview after the vote tally, Garcia said he expected to get 356 of the league’s 559 councilmen. But only 525 councilmen attended last Saturday’s elections at the New White Gold House.

“It’s all hard work. It’s really difficult to run against the incumbent but we worked hard and campaigned in all of the city’s 80 barangays,” Garcia said.

Asked whether this signals the start of a career similar to that of his father, former Cebu City mayor Alvin Garcia, the neophyte politician answered, “Maybe.” If Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama offers him a slot as city councilor in the 2016 elections, Garcia will “think about it and consult his family.”

Winning as executive vice president was Litoy Ceniza of Kalunasan with 278 votes against Helen Francisco of Carreta who had 237 votes. Yody Sanchez of Busay won as vice president for north district with 267 votes against Rex Millan of Kalubihan who had 209.

Eugen Tabas of Toong won as vice president for the south district with 260 votes while his opponent, Litang Abarquez of Poblacion Pardo, had 212.

For secretary, Grace Baquero of Punta Princesa won with 306 votes, beating Garry Lao of Tejero who got 204 votes. For treasurer, Maria Pino of Ermita won against Joan Babasyon of Lorega. David Agravante of Zapatera also won against Raffy Briones of Tinago for auditor.

Clinching seats in the board of directors for the north district were Troy Tan (Kasambagan), Bradex Flores (Day-as), Frank Gajudo (Mabolo) and Lino Bontilao (Pit-os). The board of directors for the south district are Boy Ababon (Bonbon), Jojo Peralta (San Nicolas Proper), Anne Vestil Palomo (Mambaling) and Richard Buscaino (Calamba).

Rama, who was both happy and surprised with the landslide win, came to the venue while the canvassing of votes was midway. His political rival, former mayor and south district congressman Tomas Osmeña, was earlier spotted during the elections but didn’t show up during the counting.

Garcia said he will work for the increase of barangay officials’ incentives, form a legal team for BCLP, open the city hall’s P25,000 medical assistance to private hospitals, create a BCLP ID card for each member and produce a quarterly newsletter.

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