Battle of sexes seen in Kalibo elections

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The battle of sexes is on for contending political camps in Kalibo, Aklan for the 2019 May mid-term elections.

Erstwhile political allies for nine years, Kalibo Mayor William   Lachica and Vice mayor Madeline Regalado parted ways as they  decided to support their candidates for the 2019 election. Regalado will challenge former Kalibo municipal engineer Emerson Lachica, the younger brother of Mayor Lachica, for the mayoral post.

Regalado and her running mate incumbent Sangguniang Bayan member Cynthia dela Cruz were proclaimed by Tibyog Akean as official candidates in the capital town of Kalibo on October 14.  

Sangguniang Bayan member Juris Sucro who was endorsed vice mayor-candidate of Lachica last week is instead running for Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) in the first legislative district under Tibyog Akean.

Tibyog Akean is a local alliance of incumbent Aklan governor Florencio Miraflores. Miraflores is seeking for a third term as governor against Kalibo mayor Lachica.

Businessman Apolonio Zaraspe III replaced Sucro as Lachica’s running mate during a separate proclamation on October 14.

Former Kalibo councilor Augusto Tolentino, former Estancia barangay captain Edison Inocencio, former Mabilo barangay captain Rany de Felipe, Kalibo municipal tourism office employee Ma. Cecilia Malapad-Calizo, businessman Matt Aaron Guzman, incumbent Kalibo councilor Daisy Briones, Estancia barangay kagawad Rommel Deslate and Poblacion barangay kagawad Menchu Ismael were the Sangguniang Bayan candidates of Lachica-Zaraspe tandem.

Under Tibyog Akean, the SB hopefuls are reelectionists Mark Quimpo, Mark Ace Bautista and Philip Kimpo, former Old Buswang barangay captain Ethel Marte, former Andagao barangay captain Rey Tolentino, incumbent Mobo barangay captain Wendell Tayco, incumbent Andagao barangay kagawad Ketchie Luces and incumbent Estancia barangay kagawad Ritchell Militar.

‘Early birds in Comelec’

Former Aklan board member Plaridel Morania joined former Banga vice mayor Melanio Rentillo as SP hopefuls in 2019 mid-term elections as they filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) last week at Comelec-Aklan provincial office.

Vicky Ramos-Antonino files COC /PHOTO AF JOURNAL

Anita Victoria Ramos-Antonino also filed her COC for the Second Legislative District. She will challenge former Aklan congressman Teodorico Haresco, Jr. of Tibyog Akean.

Malay town councilor Jupiter Aeldred Gallenero, former Nabas vice Mayor Lucita de Asis Necor, former Numancia councilor Bayani Cordova, lawyer Melanie Obrique-Guevarra and former Aklan board member Victor Manuel Garcia will join the SP slate of Ramos-Antonino in the second legislative district.