By Ric V. Obedencio

Four names have surfaced to contest the presidency of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB)-Bohol Chapter, in what was seen as a fight to the finish of four equally qualified candidates.  Set on Dec. 18 at JJ's Seafoods, this city, the LnB case, three hopefuls, “all under LP,” for the top federated LnB president are now squabbling over who among them to be the anointed one by the party despite the fact that such exercise is “non-partisan” but in reality it's the opposite.  Incumbent LnB provincial federated head Madelone Rengel of Calape, who was reelected to his post did not hide his reelection bid during a huddle between him, comebacking Romulo Cepedoza of Danao town and neophyte Eping Estavilla of island town of President Carlos P. Garcia in front of the bigwigs of the LP during a huddle last week.

 Rengel is the son of then provincial board member Felix Rengel and Mary Yu Rengel, who is a very close relative of Calape Mayor Junie Yu and Vice-Mayor Nelson Yu. Cepedoza, who showed dismal performance in provincial board in last May elections, is the brother of then mayor and vice-mayor Jose Cepedoza, whose comeback bid for mayor failed as he was defeated by incumbent Mayor Natividad Gonzaga.  Another name that emerged lately as a contender representing the opposition is Violeta Reyes, the wife of then Ubay Vice-Mayor Constan Reyes, who was unfortunate in his bid for mayor. Violeta Reyes is reportedly relying on the financial muscle of former Carmen Mayor Conchita “Che” Toribio delos Reyes. Delos Reyes has been very visible in the previous elections of Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP).

In an interview last night, Second District Rep. Aris Aumentado disclosed that Violeta Reyes would be supported by the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party in Bohol, with Delos Reyes as the titular head of the opposition group. Aumentado however did not mention whether former city mayor Dan Lim would still be actively part of the opposition group in Bohol. The lawmaker said that his involvement, if there is any, in the Liga election would largely be within the confines of his district. Asked whether his bet, Reyes, has a chance to win the Liga seat in the province, Aumentado declined to make a fearless forecast. But according to political observers, the presence of Che Delos Reyes in the Liga election may tilt the balance of power in the province, a factor for electoral victory that has been tried and tested in previous polls.

 Interested

For his part, Eping Boyboy revealed that he is interested in the highest Liga post. In a meeting between Boy, Rengel and Cepedoza, the former was called to settle the row. He said that he seemed outsmarted by Rengel and Cepedoza. This is because, he said, Rengel was the first one to reveal his plan, and was followed by Cepedoza during a meeting of provincial LP big wigs.  Cepedoza told LP officials that he would settle for the executive vice-president of the LnB, leaving Boyboy, who was accompanied by his mother, no chance before he could even start to talk. The young Boyboy said he was offered to be the secretary-treasurer of the Liga, but Boyboy remains undecided whether to accept the offer. Reliable sources said that Boyboy could be the logical choice for the LnB top post, aside from being young and active, but because of his noble vision.

 Bailiwick

The administration is counting on some 32 municipal LnB presidents to support Madelone-Cepedoza tie-up, including the towns of Alicia, Anda, Baclayon, Balilihan, Batuan, Bilar, Calape, Carmen, Catigbian, Clarin, Danao, Dauis, Dimiao, Duero, Guindulman, Inabanga, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Loon, Mabini, Maribojoc, Pilar, CPG, Sagbayan, San Isidro, Sierra-Bullones, Sikatuna, Talibon, Trinidad, Tubigon and Valencia.  The re-elected LnBs are Buates of Alburquerque; Emiliana Merencillo, Antequera; Esteban Chatto, Balilihan; Sergio Polinar, Batuan; Marcel Fuertes, Bilar; Benigno Tibon, Jr., Buenavista; Michael Roy Palace, Carmen; Carlo Ombajin, Clarin; Isabelo DAquipil, Corella; George Calipusan, Loboc; Eduardo Tapales, Sagbayan; Anecita Middlemist, Tubigon; and Rustico Salarda, Valencia. Said to be neophytes LnB municipal presidents are Ruel Carias, Alicia town; Almar Jose Jandayan, Anda; Maria Vida Batoy, Baclayon; Rosemarie Boniel, Bien-Unido; Arnielo Olandria, Candijay; Noel Garsuta, Catigbian; Vivencio Calimutan, Cortes; Jemelo Puertos, Dagohoy; Josever Sumaylo, Dauis; and Nilo Namoco, Dimiao.

 Angelito Betonio of Duero town; Lourdes Galacio, Garcia-Hernandez; Cary Camacho, Getafe; Albino Balo, Guindulman; Rodulfo Jumamoy, Inabanga; Jovita Achas, Jagna; Melchor Lapac, Lila; Sisinio Maquiling, Loay; Pedro Literatus, Jr., Loon; Belinda Vallecera, Mabini; Wendeline Rojas, Maribojoc; Julio Sumaylo, Panglao; Wilfredo Bernante, Pilar; Fernando Estavilla, CPG; Doxson Asoy, San Isidro; Ludivico Anuta, San Miguel; Venia Cutin, Sevilla; Edgardo Galve, S-Bullones; Godofredo Gomez, Sikatuna; Edgar Bompat, Tagbilaran City; Byrnah Paculaba, Talibon; Nida Quisto, Trinidad; and Violeta Reyes, Ubay.