The long-simmering talk of a revamp in the Liga ng mga Barangay city federation is expected to take place on Tuesday. Multiple sources within the Liga confirmed the holding of a special meeting just for the purpose of effecting the revamp. “Kinahanglan na ni madayon (This must push through),” a source said. The same source insisted that the revamp should be done the soonest possible time because there is a growing disenchantment among many barangay captains. “The longer this drags on, the more it is detrimental to the (Liga),” the source added. Another barangay captain revealed that the arrangement that called for incumbent Liga president Faro Cabalit to step down within one year was a “gentleman’s agreement”. The source said the sentiment of the majority of the barangay captains then was to allow Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim to come up with a compromise to prevent a revolt from within.

“Most of the incumbent barangay captains were no longer amenable to give (Cabalit) another term but they deferred to the wishes of the mayor,” the source added. Another source, a reelectionist barangay captain, said the majority wanted Mansasa barangay captain Manolo Blanco to lead the Liga city federation. Blanco, however, declined the draft and instead threw his support to Cabalit. The source said this encouraged other barangay captains to try their luck which would have been divisive. It was when the mayor suggested a term-sharing agreement to pacify the majority. Under the said agreement, Cabalit will serve only for one year before stepping down to give way to Cogon barangay captain Philip Besas. Cabalit, however, has other plans. Another barangay captain said Cabalit’s actuations show that he intends to hold on to his position.

“He has even denied the arrangement which angered the barangay captains who now wants him to step down earlier,” he added. A barangay captain said that the longer Cabalit holds on to his position, the more he alienates himself from the majority. “Now his adviser is (Dampas barangay captain Fredison) Ingles who is not even part of the majority,” the source noted. The source said that Cabalit’s obvious partisan activities are one reason why he should step down. “He no longer enjoys the trust and confidence of the majority who are afraid that their projects will suffer because of his actuations,” the source added. Asked if the mayor has talked to them about his plans, all five sources said Lim has left them on their own. “I think he wants to find out who among us is still loyal to him and who are jumping ship,” the source added. One of the sources said the mayor did not seem bothered by Cabalit’s antics saying that he is benefiting from it. “As usual, (Lim) is on top of the situation,” the source added.