DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Buñao Barangay Chairman Lionel Banogon on Monday breezed past lone opponent Isagani Bana of Barangay Junob to clinch the closely-contested position of president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) of this capital city of Negros Oriental.
Banogon won over Bana in a 15-13 vote during Monday's election held at the city's session hall in the presence of Gildo Agoncillo of the city's Comelec, Felix Ablir, head of the city's DILG office, and Ed Du representing the private or non-government sector.
Of the total 30 barangays in the city, 28 of them were represented by their barangay chairmen. Only two were absent in the elections: Jorge Ponce de Leon of Poblacion 4 and Orlando Angot of Poblacion 1.
Banogon will replace outgoing ABC-Dumaguete president, Albert Aquino, former barangay chairman of Bantayan. As the new ABC president, Banogon will sit as councilor or ex-officio member of the City Council.
Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria has called on the people to throw their support to Banogon, whose leadership he was optimistic and confident to carry the voice of the barangays to the City Council.
The other elected ABC officials are the mayor's son Manuel "Chaco" Sagarbarria, as vice president, Delia Senagan, auditor, and members of the board of directors Nelson Ablir, Dionnie Amores, Bartolome Aranas, Angelita Ragay, Nicolas Ramirez, Ricardo Valencia, Vincent Perigua, Bernald Sun and Gregorio Oira. — (FREEMAN)