3 councilors vie for PCL-Bohol presidency

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines  — The race to occupy the three-year seat for presidency of the Philippine Councilor's League (PCL)-Bohol chapter had started with three contenders, each of whom are claiming support from their respective congressmen in their districts.

There are only three Mondays left until August 17, the election day for the post, and the three are now making their respective stumps to get the most votes from the city and municipal councilors in Bohol.

Councilor Gloria Gementiza of San Isidro town, whose supporters claimed as the strongest candidate for the post, reportedly has the solid backing from Representative Aris Aumentado (2nd district) and a group of councilors in the district.

Gementiza, in an exclusive interview, said she is already firming up her forces, including even from those in the two other districts. She said she has been crisscrossing the countryside in her effort to connect and woo as many councilors as she could to her side.

Antequera town's Councilor Cecil Rebosura, who presided over the recent PCL provincial meeting, said she is not backing out of the race, with or without funding. She took over the PCL seat temporarily on June 30, after then president Antonio Ouano of Getafe town failed to win a seat in the Provincial Board in the May 9 elections.

Rebosura is relying on the help of Governor Edgar Chatto and Representative Rene Relampagos (1st district), adding that she got no commitment yet from Representative Arthur Yap (3rd district), the biggest district with 19 towns.

The third challenger is Jagna town Councilor Teofisto Pagar, Jr., who confirmed to The Freeman his bid for the PCL-Bohol's highest post.

A total of 434 municipal and city councilors are expected to participate in the PCL-Bohol election at Bohol Tropics Resort Club in Tagbilaran City.

Each town has nine councilors, including Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) representative, while the city has 11 councilors, also including its own LnB president.

The past presidents of PCL-Bohol, before Ouano, were: Councilor Monching Torrefranca of Carmen, Loay councilor and now Vice Mayor Brigido "Boy" Imboy, Councilor Yves Yu of Calape (deceased), Councilor Urbano "Baning" Lagunay, Councilor Felix Uy of Baclayon, Councilor Paulino Clarin of Tagbilaran, and the first president, City Councilor George Lao (deceased). (FREEMAN)