A NEW twist on who’ll be steering the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Bohol chapter has surfaced lately.
Reelected Jagna Mayor Joseph Ranola, who has been anointed to be the next LMP Bohol president by majority municipal mayors under the administration of Governor-elect Aris Aumentado, told the TIMES that he might decline the position.
He said that he has to prioritize Jagna to prosper, first, following the approval of some P233 million for his avowed water project of the town and other projects.
LMP is set to elect its officers for 2022-2025 by next month or August this year.
The LMP president is outgoing Dauis Mayor Marietta Sumaylo, who is elected as vice-mayor in May 9, 2022 elections.
Reelected President Carlos P. Garcia Mayor Fernando Estavilla said that the group of mayors agreed that Ranola is fielded to be the president with him (Estavilla) as executive vice-president.
This may not be the situation inside the LMP for Estavilla is likely to be the uncontested president after the Ranola’s withdrawal.
It was not known if incumbent LMP Vice-president for second district Buenavista Mayor Atty. Dave Duallo is interested in the LMP presidency.
A term-sharing was agreed with Ranola to take first the LMP presidency and then Estavilla will take over, if they are elected to the league.
There are 18 towns (out of 19) in 3rd district — Loay, Lila, Dimiao, Valencia, Garcia-Hernandez, Jagna, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Mabini, Alicia, Pilar, Sierra-Bullones, Batuan, Bilar, Loboc and Sevilla — which are now allied with reelected Congresswoman Alexie Tutor.
Only Carmen town is not included since Mayor-elect Conchita “Cheche” Toribio de los Reyes is identified with Gov. Arthur Yap, who was trounced by Aumentado by a large margin of votes.
In second district, eight (8) municipalities — President Carlos P. Garcia, Ubay, Getafe, Buenavista, Clarin, Sagbayan, San Isidro, and Danao — are said to be allied with the incoming administration, except for Bien-Unido, Trinidad, Inabanga and Talibon.
The Aumentado counts on the towns of Baclayon, Dauis, Calape and Maribojoc in the first district for the league.
Sketchy report reaching this paper said that Carmen mayor-elect Delos Reyes also showed interest in the LMP presidency. The TIMES tried to contact Delos Reyes in her home last week but she was out of town, a source said.
In the Philippine Councilor’s League (PCL) Bohol chapter quest, come-backing San Isidro councilor Gloria Gementiza, wife of reelected Mayor Atty. Diosdado Gementiza is set to regain the PCL presidency on a term-sharing, also. Gementiza told this paper of this development.
She is to share the PCL presidency in league’s mid-term with Tagbilaran City councilor Nick Besas, the father of Congresswoman Alexie Tutor.
Both Estavilla and Gementiza said that they have already formed their complete slate of officers for their respective leagues.
The LMP would probably hold their election in July while PCL on August this year.
Under the law, like the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation president and Liga nga mga Barangay president, the PCL president is entitled to a seat as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the highest law-making body of the province. (rvo)
