Ong to run as Liga prexy
Days after the Barangay and SK election, re-elected Punong Barangay Irene Ong of Brgy. President Roxas, City Proper confirmed that she is vying for the post of President of the Liga ng Barangay-Iloilo City chapter.
Ong said she already got the endorsement of Mayor Jerry Treñas and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. for her to run as the Liga President.
Ong is one of 14 barangay captains in the city who run unopposed in the recent election.
She viewed the favorable endorsements from Treñas and Gonzalez as an advantage against other hopefuls who would want to join in the Liga election. The Liga election is set 30 days after the assumption of the newly-elected punong barangays.
This early, she ruled out reports that Pungong Barangay Bobby Divinagracia of Brgy. San Agustin, City Proper would also run for the position. Divinagracia ran as councilor in the May 2007 local elections but lost. Like Ong, Divinagracia also ran unopposed in the October 29 barangay election.
An elected Liga ng mga Barangay President automatically assumes as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The Liga president is elected by barangay captains themselves.
Reports are circulating that Punong Barangay Antonio Co of Brgy. San Jose, City Proper is also interested in running for the Liga presidency.
Newly-elected Punong Barangay Jerry Mabilog of Brgy. Tap-oc, Molo, brother of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog, is reportedly also interested in running for the post.
However, in a radio interview Vice Mayor Mabilog said that he prefers that his brother should focus on serving his constituents instead of vying for the Liga post being a first-termer barangay captain.
Outgoing Punong Barangay Marietta Orleans of Brgy. Cuartero, Jaro currently holds the position of Liga President, thus sitting as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.
Orleans is ending her term as punong barangay but she ran for barangay kagawad in the recent election and won as number one kagawad of Brgy. Cuartero.