Negros Oriental: Congressman’s son wins Liga ng Barangay presidency

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The 22-year-old son of Representative Arnulfo Teves Jr. (3rd district, Negros Oriental) is the new president of the Liga ng mga Barangays in Negros Oriental, in Monday’s election where he ran unopposed, along with other officials of the association.

Barangay Chairman Kurt Matthew Teves of Malabugas in Bayawan City got 22 votes out of 25 barangay federation presidents around the province. He is now an ex-officio member of the Provincial Board.

Others elected unopposed to the provincial Liga were: Segfredo Buagas of Tanjay City, who got 21 votes, and Charlito Yupo of  Bacong town, who had 22 votes.

The elected directors were: Chona Agustino of Ayungon, Dionie Amores of Dumaguete City, Edgar Teves Jr. of Valencia, Jonah Pat Aviles of Zamboanguita, Lucille Credo of Dauin, and Teogenes Banaybanay of Sibulan.

Representative Teves told The Freeman that history repeats itself because this was his position, which he also got without opposition, before he was elected congressman.

He told his son Kurt to be at par with what he did or to do better than him, but added that he is a bit disappointed to the negative campaign strategies against his son, who was assailed for being too young to lead the provincial federation of barangay captains.

Kurt, for his part, said he will try his best to do better than what his father did, with the help of all the barangays in the province. Whatever his father may have not fulfilled to do during his time, Kurt said he will do it now.

Consultations with Liga officials will be his ways for whatever projects they would want to implement, Kurt said. When asked to comment about his age being the head of all barangay captains in the province, Kurt said age is just a number.

Governor Roel Degamo congratulated all the elected Liga officials, saying he hope that they will be driven with the desire to help and cooperate with the provincial government’s efforts for development.

Vice Governor Eduard Mark Macias said whoever is the winner in the SK and Liga elections are all welcome and that he is looking forward to working with.

“Don’t use being young as an excuse in order not to perform,” Macias said, referring to both the SK and Liga provincial federation presidents, who are now members of the PB. (FREEMAN)