What else is new in the recent elections for provincial presidents of the Sangguniang Kabataan and Liga ng mga Barangay?

Except for a few exceptions, what was evident was that “all in the family” seemed to be the order of the day. This reality of modern-day politics in the ranks of the SK and Liga was shown as expected in many of the ABC and SK municipal federation presidents where relations either directly or indirectly to politicians and political figures were more of a rule than an exception. The most undisguised family affair is in Candijay town with Fe Amora, wife of Mayor Sergio Amora Jr., snatching the ABC municipal federation presidency. The son of Vice Mayor Rey Amora, Rey Anthony Amora, was also elected Candijay SK president. The mayor and vice mayor are brothers. Two other Sangguniang Bayan members are close relatives of the Amoras. In Ubay town, the sectoral representation is a father-and-son affair. The ABC president is Efren Tanjay while his son, Mel Jorence Tanjay, is Ubay SK president.

Other ABC presidents who are related to prominent politicians are Robert Jimenez of Dauis, brother of Mayor Jaime Jimenez; Esteban Chatto of Balilihan, first-degree cousin of Gov. Edgar Chatto and Vice Mayor Efren Chatto; Maria Celeste Cepedoza of Danao, daughter of Vice Mayor Jose Cepedoza and niece of Board Member Romulo Cepedoza; Miguel Varquez Jr. of Dimiao, brother of Mayor Sylva Varquez-Adame; Madelone Rengel of Calape, first-degree cousin of Mayor Sulpicio Yu Jr. and Vice Mayor Nelson Yu; and Crispina Vergara of Mabini, cousin of Vice Mayor Stephen Rances. Vergara is also the provincial ABC federation president while Rengel is the vice president.

The SK presidents who are related to politicians are Yvonne Bulambot of Antequera, niece of Mayor Jose Mario Pahang, Elisa Miel Palacio of Bilar, daughter of Mayor Norman Palacio; Anabeah Apat of Dagohoy, daughter of former Dagohoy Mayor Sofronio Apat; Almira Alia Montero of Panglao, daughter of Councilor Ondo Montero; Kenneth Guivencan of Dimiao, son of Vice Mayor Danilo Guivencan; Cyndon Cariso Camacho of Getafe, brother of Mayor Cary Camacho; Jethro Nathaniel Imboy of Loay, son of Mayor Rosemarie Imboy and Board Member Brigido Imboy; and Doxson Asoy of San Isidro, son of Vice Mayor Eudoxio Asoy. Asoy is the provincial SK federation president while Imboy, who was initially eyeing the presidency, settled for vice president.(PR)