Tining running unopposed for Cebu PB ex-officio seat

CEBU, Philippines - Former Bogo City mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III will likely run unopposed as president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in the Province of Cebu in today’s election at the Capitol.

Like in the last Oct. 28 election when Martinez ran unopposed as barangay captain of Cayang, he also won unopposed as ABC president of Bogo City, where his father, Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., is the mayor.

Incumbent ABC-Cebu president and ex-officio Provincial Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. is no longer seeking reelection, content to run as one of the members of the Board of Directors.

Holganza also run unopposed as barangay captain of Bawod, Bantayan town and is currently the municipality’s ABC federation president.

“Di ko gustong bahinon ang Liga (I do not like divide the league) on the basis of the old divides sa (in the) last elections. I would rather nga (that) the forthcoming election will become part of the closure sa niaging (of the past) election,” Holganza said.

He stressed that the ABC election is more like class elections, where members are still the president of the association and are the ex-officio members of their respective city and municipal councils whether they run or not during the elections.

Incumbent ABC vice president Emerito Calderon of Samboan was also earlier reported as running for president, which his son, PB Member Peter John Calderon, denied.

Both Martinez and Calderon are allies in the Liberal Party (LP) while Holganza is identified to be allied with One Cebu Party.

After LP leaders Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale took the Capitol leadership after the May 13 elections, their allies started dominating other leagues in the province.

PB Member Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca of Danao City got reelected as president of the Philippine Councilors League ; Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante Jr. now heads the League of Municipalities in the Philippines; while Dumanjug Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica now leads the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines. (FREEMAN)