Samar mayor who won by only three votes takes oath

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
June 17, 2007

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Brandishing his three votes as his ticket to a hotly contested mayoralty race, Motiong Mayor Constancio ‘Jun’ Pacanan took his oath of office on the occasion of the town’s 59th Foundation Day, Saturday.

The mayoralty race in Motiong proved to be one of a kind.

Nevertheless, Pacanan proudly mentioned his hard-earned victory through the lucky three votes, saying he does not need more for even only one vote could spell the same victory.

Pacanan took his oath of office under Judge Alma Uy-Lampasa of Motiong Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC).

Together with Pacanan were Vice Mayor Estella Dasmariñas, and five other SB members who won in the recent elections. Not all were present though, the media learned that the winners who belong to the opposing parties did not attend the oath taking ceremony.

Pacanan, a relectionist said that he is trying to extend his hand to a reconciliation with the other party.

“Elections are over, let us unite and push Motiong forward,“ he said in his Waray waray message.

Not only does he extend a reconciliatory note to his fellow Motionganons but even to Governor Mila Tan whom he said belonged to the other party. Pacanan belonged to the line up of the Figueroa spouses, Catalino and Neliptha.

His main reason, he said for allying with the Figueroas is that they promised to support his ambitious INFRES project worth millions.

But the Figueroa spouses lost in their quest for Congressman and Governor respectively.

Though Pacanan won, some supporters and a brother have been charged with the ambush of his arch rival Francisco Langi, whose driver was killed and he himself wounded in early February. The mayor denies having anything to do with the crime.

With his proclamation as Motiong Mayor, Pacanan told the media that he wants to be remembered as the mayor who brought water to his ‘thirsty’ municipality. His administration is presently undertaking a P28M worth of water system to be classified as Level 3.

Motiong LGU is also embarking on an ambitious INFRES project worth P45M which will connect seven inaccessible barangays.