New PCL prexy pushes for P5k assistance for all councilors in Cebu

Tabogon Councilor Francis Edward Salimbangon is the newly elected president of Philippine Councilors League Cebu Chapter. | Rosalie O. Abatayo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The newly elected president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Cebu Chapter is planning to allocate at least P5,000 secured financial assistance for health emergencies of local legislators in the province.

Tabogon Councilor Francis Edward Salimbangon, the newly elected president of PCL Cebu Chapter, said the financial assistance would be one of their priority measures for their organization.

There are over 500 councilors from the 51 towns and cities of Cebu province.

The PCL Cebu Chapter held its elections at the Capitol Social Hall on Monday morning, August 19.

Salimbangon’s slate for the PCL elections were unopposed after they agreed with the group of Sibonga Councilor Caroline Bacaltos to uphold a term-sharing agreement.

Salimbangon, the son of former fourth district representative Benhur Salimbangon, is allied with the National Unity Party (NUP) while the Bacaltoses of Sibonga are with the Nacionalista Party (NP). 

Both NUP and NP are allied with the national dominant party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and the local party, One Cebu, of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Salimbangon said the term-sharing agreement applies to the entire slate of officers in the PCL Cebu Chapter.

The other elected officers of the PCL Cebu Chapter are Toledo City Councilor Ricardo Pepito (vice president), Alexseus Celis of Boljoon (secretary general), Tabogon Councilor Jojessa Hortellano (treasurer), Mary Greleigh “Lovely” Cabrera of Santa Fe (auditor), Madridejos’ Emelita Gabito (press relations officer) and Tudela’s Cyrus Otadoy (business manager).

Salimbangon, who is on his second term as councilor, will be sitting as an ex-officio member of the Provincial Board being the PCL president./dbs