PCL Aklan election
Close fight: Morales-Torres defeated Navarosa, 74-72
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – The lady councilor from the town of Banga was elected new president of the Philippine Councilors’ League (PCL) – Aklan Chapter in a closely contested election at the Aklan Trade Hall in Capitol Site, this town.
Jonna Morales-Torres, now in her third term as Sangguniang Bayan member, defeated her closest rival and neophyte Libacao councilor Vincent Navarosa by two votes, 74-72, in a tight race for presidency.
Two-termer Kalibo councilor Emmanuel Soviet Russia dela Cruz got 16 votes while PCL Aklan interim president and Makato councilor Basilides Tabernilla garnered only three votes.
The newly-elected president becomes an ex-officio member in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan as sectoral representative of Aklan councilors.
All 170 councilors, including Sangguniang Kabataan and Liga ng mga Barangay chairmen, cast their votes on Wednesday afternoon. The PCL election is done every three years by the councilors in the 17 towns of Aklan.
Morales thanked her supporters after winning the presidency, saying, the election is the beginning of the new responsibilities in the PCL for 2010-2013 as she enjoined everyone to work together for the good of the organization.
The provincial election was witnessed by PCL national president Allan Zulueta and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director Jenny Destua.
Elected vice president was Nabas councilor Mark Zaldivar, who bested Bayani Cordova of Numancia and Rodolfo Perucho of New Washington.
Tangalan councilor Jay Tejada also clinched the position of secretary general against newcomer Natalie Cawaling-Paderes of Malay.
Plaridel Solidum of Ibajay won over Rosemarie Piolo of Banga for treasurer while Sophia Nalangan of Madalag was unopposed for auditor.
Junie Repiano of New Washington also defeated Rodelle John David of Altavas for press relations officer while Kalibo councilor Nilda Tambong secured the business manager post from Rhenee Refol and Winston Gregorio, both from Altavas.
The eight board of directors were Inocentes Bantigue, Jr. with 84 votes (Balete), Arnaldo Tejada, Sr. with 77 votes (Kalibo), Noel Redison with 66 votes (Banga), Rosario Belarmino (Altavas), Ronnie Panadero (Altavas), George Villarubia (Lezo) with 49 votes each, Ricardito de Asis with 48 votes (Nabas) and Jupiter Aeldred Gallenero with 46 votes (Malay).