2 Gwen allies to vie for top PCL post

CEBU, Philippines — Two town councilors both allied with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia have expressed their intention to run for the top post at the Cebu federation of the Philippines Councilors League.

They are Tabogon councilor Francis Salimbangon, son of former fourth district congressman Benhur Salimbangon, and Sibonga councilor Caroline Bacaltos, wife of Mayor Lionel Bacaltos.

So far, no councilor allied with Vice Governor Hilario Davide III, leader of the opposition, has floated his or her bid for the top position.

This early, Salimbangon has already claimed having more than 300 councilors on his side out of 524 city and municipal councilors, including presidents of Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federations in the respective localities.

The FREEMAN tried to reach the camp of Bacaltos but there was no response from her end.

The Department of Interior and Local Government has set the election of officers for August 19.

This was announced by DILG provincial director Jerome Gonzales, who will act as the election chairman, in a July 22 memorandum issued to all city and municipal mayors and Sangguniang Bayan and Panlungsod members of Cebu Province.

The local election is pursuant to DILG Circular 2019-103 dated July 10 and to a letter from the PCL national office dated July 15 addressed to Gonzales.

Gonzales said all mayors are enjoined to allow their SB members to attend the election on official business.

The provincial federation officers to be elected are the president, vice president, secretary-general, treasurer, auditor, press relations officer, business manager, and eight federation directors.

According to Gonzales, the filing of certificates of candidacy will be held at the DILG Provincial Office at the second floor of the Cebu Capitol Legislative Building not later than August 14. (FREEMAN)