Barangay heads vow to derail ‘jueteng lord’s’ ABC bid

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Twenty of this capital city’s 34 barangay chairmen have banded together to frustrate the purported bid of one of their colleagues, alleged to be a jueteng lord, to grab the presidency of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC).

The 20 barangay chiefs met over the weekend at the residence of Amado Santos of Barangay San Agustin and vowed to re-elect him as ABC president, which will automatically assure him of a seat in the city council.

Alleged gambling lord Melchor Caluag, alias Ngongo, elected chairman of Barangay Dolores in the city’s business district, was earlier alleged to have offered a trip to Hong Kong plus P100,000 pocket money to entice his colleagues to elect him ABC president.

He needs at least 18 votes to grab the post. A victory will enable him to seek the presidency of the ABC’s provincial league which, in turn, will elevate him to the provincial board.

The meeting held at Santos’ residence was initiated by businessman Aurelio Gonzalez, known to be one of the political backers of Sen. Loren Legarda in Pampanga.

Earlier, Chief Superintendent Oscar Calderon, Central Luzon police director, said a Caluag victory in the ABC elections to be held later this month, will embarrass local government and police authorities.

Calderon has instructed his men to file more charges against Caluag whose assets and liabilities are being scrutinized vis-a-vis his declaration during the July 15 barangay elections.

The pro-Santos barangay heads are from Bulaon, Dela Paz Norte, Del Rosario, Juliana, Lourdes, Magliman, Maimpis, Malino, Malpitic, Quebiawan, Saguin, San Isidro, San Jose, San Nicolas, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Teresita, Sto. Niño, Sto. Rosario and Sindalan.

The stand of the other barangay chiefs on the issue is unknown. — Ding Cervantes