Ex-Samar lawmaker elected barangay head

BORONGAN CITY, Philippines – From the halls of Congress to the barangay hall.

That’s the fiefdom now of former Eastern Samar congressman Teodulo Coquilla, who was elected chairman of Barangay Tawagan in Oras town in last Monday’s balloting.

Coquilla lost his bid for a second term to former governor Ben Evardone in the congressional race for the province’s lone district last May.

“Well, this is a more exciting fight although only in the barangay level. This victory is more exciting compared to my previous political victory in 2007 when I was elected congressman,” Coquilla said. 

Records show that Coquilla garnered 328 votes over his rivals, re-electionist Linda Bondalo and former village chief Evelyn Alconaba who got 302 and 27 votes, respectively.

“Our barangay has practically nothing. It has no water system of its own, no barangay hall and plaza. There is a big job ahead of me,” Coquilla said. “I will work hard.”