Family affair, feud in Abra polls

BANGUED, Abra – It could be a family affair, if not a family feud, in violence-prone Abra in the May 14 elections.

Challenging the mayorship of six towns in this province in the Cordilleras on election day are family members – a wife, a son, a nephew and a son-in-law.

The Commission on Elections might have a hard time counting the votes for mayor in one town because the protagonists carry the same name, according to observers.

In Peñarubia town, Mayor Antonio Domes-ag is being challenged by his estranged wife, Lovelyn Domes-ag, for the votes of around 8,000 people.

In the 2004 elections, Antonio won as mayor against Lovelyn and a third candidate, retired police colonel Wilmer Panabang.

By a small margin of 224 votes, Antonio defeated Panabang. Lovelyn was in third place.

Sources said the Domes-ag couple parted ways because of politics. Lovelyn is now wooing Panabang’s support for her to win against her husband.

In Boliney town, Pacita Balao-as and her son, Ronald Balao-as, will face one another for control of the town hall, and neither is willing to give way to the other.

The same is true in Daguioman town, where Mayor Sally Co Kue will be pitted against her son Manuel Co Kue.

In San Isidro near the boundary with Ilocos Sur, Ernesto Pacsa Sr. is being challenged by his son and namesake Ernesto Pacsa Jr.

The appendage "Senior" and "Junior" would be the only clue for voters to distinguish the two candidates when they cast their ballots on May 14.

In Lacub town, Leo Barona, a former ranking Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army member, will face his brother Cesar for the post of mayor.

In La Paz town, where Mayor Marc Israel Bernos was assassinated in full public view a few years ago, Joseph Bernos is running for mayor against his nephew Domingo Bernos.

Their relatives tried to intervene before the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy to no avail.

In San Juan town, lawyer Marco Bautista and his son-in-law, Dr. Nonito Barbero, will be facing one another in the mayoralty elections on May 14.