Villareal mayor emerges as president of LMP Samar chapter

By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
August 28, 2010

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Mayor Renato Latorre got elected unopposed by his co-mayors as the new president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines - Samar Chapter held last August 23, 2010 at the DILG Provincial Office in Catbalogan, Samar.

Mayor Serrano’s nomination for the chapter presidency of the Villareal Mayor was immediately closed and unanimously seconded.  It has left other would be contenders, no chance to get nominated. Moreover, the eighteen (18) mayors present, representing a quorum, opted to refrain from the usual confirmation of votes either by secret balloting or by raising their hands. Instead, Latorre was given the full discretion to choose the other mayors who will complete the new set of officers for the league. A meeting held at Fortune Hotel in the afternoon before the election which was attended by the Samar mayors has confirmed the suspicion of spectators that the election was pre-arranged.

In attendance during the said meeting were eighteen (18) mayors. At least six (6) mayors coming from the Municipalities of Tagapul-an, San Sebastian, Motiong, Pinabacdao, Zumarraga and Talalora were recorded to be absent.  Leyte Board Member, Roque A. Tiu represented the League of Municipalities of the Philippines National Board in the election.  Likewise, the DILG Provincial Diretor, Mr. Artemio Caneja was present to oversee the procedures. It was presided by outgoing LMP Samar President, Mayor Melchor Nacario of Calbiga, Samar.

Together with Mayor Latorre, other elected officers of the LMP Samar Chapter included Sta. Margarita Mayor Alfredo Serrano as Executive VP, Sta. Rita Mayor Lisandro Kim Adolfo and Pagsanghan Mayor Ruben Palma as VPs for 2nd and 1st District, respectively.

Elected as Secretary was Marabut Mayor Percival Ortillo, Jr., while Tarangnan Mayor Emmely D. Olaje was appointed Treasurer.

Almagro Mayor Kathleen S. Prudenciano was chosen as the External Auditor while Daram Mayor Lucia Astorga was the Internal Auditor.

Paranas Mayor Boy Babalcon was appointed as Public Relations Officer and Mayor Alejandro Abaratigue of Hinbangan got the position as Business Manager.

Chosen as members of the Board were Gandara Mayor Antonieto T. Cabuenos, Sto. Niño Mayor Lilia Coñejos, Jiabong Mayor Jocelyn de Jesus, Matuguinao Mayor Melissa dela Cruz, San Jorge Mayor Nancy Grey, Basey Mayor Igmedio Junjie Ponferrada, and San Jose de Buan Mayor Ananias Rebato.

The new set of LMP Samar chapter members is composed of seven (7) lady mayors. Out of the twenty four (24) Municipal Mayors, eight (8) are newly elected while the rest are incumbent mayors of their respective municipalities.

Immediately after the confirmation of the new set of Officers, Mayor Latorre thanked the group for entrusting to him the LMP leadership. He encouraged the mayors to lobby for the inclusion of their programs/projects in the Provincial Investment Plan. He expressed his desire to strengthen unity and cooperation among members. “Kinahanglan gud nga magkaburubligay kay danay ginpapapirma la kita ngan deri kita gin papabasa. Let’s work towards the development of our respective municipalities”, were Latorre’s final statements. It was understood that he was referring to the preparation of the Annual Investment Plan of the province where mayors are allegedly just made to sign even if the items included were not submitted as priority projects that mayors would like to implement.

Mayor Latorre and party proceeded to Tony’s Kitchen where lunch was served and the first meeting of the officers was held.