Cebu City's new ABC head is a millionaire

CEBU, Philippines – The new president of the Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu City is a millionaire, based on his statement of assets and liabilities.

T. Padilla Barangay Captain Michael Ralota, who will sit as ex-officio member of the City Council, has declared a total net worth of P1,032,500.00.

His total assets which include real properties, personal and other properties have reached P1.755 million. He reported a total liability of P452,500 from a loan he obtained for his car.

Ralota declared an Isuzu Alterra which he acquired in 2005 at P1.5 million, a 68-square-meter lot in Jugan, Liloan which he acquired for P80,000 in 2003.

His SALN will be among the documents he is submitting to Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young on Friday, Ralota's first working day in the council.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Rama calls for unity among the barangay captains for the good of their association. Rama also urged them to support Ralota as their new president.

The Mayor congratulated Ralota for winning the ABC elections with an overwhelming 58 votes as against the 18 votes of his opponent Busay Captain Eliodoro "Yody" Sanchez.

"I'm happy that it's over with no ill-feelings ang nahitabo," Rama said as he hopes that accusations of vote-buying will be put to rest. - Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Garry B. Lao/FPL (FREEMAN)