Old political rivalry still fuels Abra electoral race

October 21, 2018 Amianan Trend Provincial

BAGUIO CITY – Rival “political families of old” are again figuring out against each other for the various provincial
positions in Abra, portending rivalries might just turn bloody.
Re-elecionist lawmaker Joseph “JB” Bernos, Abra’s youngest congressman ever at 40, is facing again former Rep.
Cecille Seares-Luna like in the 2016 polls, minus now tourism undersecretary Marco Bautista, former San Juan town mayor, who had befriended the lawmaker, being both political allies of the Duterte administration.
“Our service to the people of Abra continues. Our job to propose policies that will uplift the lives and protect the welfare of every individual will not end,” the young lawmaker vowed. The programs and projects we have initiated for the development of Abra and the empowerment of all Abreños will not stop, he vowed. “We have laid the
foundations for a prosperous Abra; we will see this through until the very end. We won’t stop here.”
Rep. Bernos filed his COC  Tuesday noon (Oct.16) with reelectionist Governor Ma. Jocelyn Valera-Bernos, widow
of his older brother Ysrael, assassinated in 2000 right in La Paz town plaza where he was then mayor. With them was reelectionist Bangued town mayor, Dominic Valera, father of the lady governor.
While Dolores town Mayor Roberto “JR” Seares Jr., a very close ally of President Duterte and PDP-Laban’s
provincial chairman in Abra, is reported to challenge Gov. Valera-Bernos.
Interestingly, a third gubernatorial bet, former Abra Electric Cooperative (Abreco) general manager Loreto “Jun”
Seares Jr., an erstwhile cousin of Mayor Seares Jr. and nephew of former Abra rep. Seares-Luna, also filed his COC against his cousin and Gov. Valera-Bernos in the gubernatorial race Tuesday morning.
Jun Seares’ entry into the race could create a huge dent in both the erstwhile cousins’ candidacies that could make
them scratching their heads when the poll body decides who turns out to be a “nuisance” bet.
Former Rep. Cecille Seares-Luna’s sons – Lagayan mayor Jendricks, Cromwell (a perennial Tineg town mayoral bet) and Ryan (former Bangued mayor) – are said to have not given up politics as yet as all are running in next year ’s mid-term polls. Ryan, ousted as Bangued town mayor in 2012, wants to regain his old post in the capital town while Jendricks, who had been suspended for six months by Gov. Valera-Bernos, is still eyeing to retain his mayoral post in Lagayan.
While Gov. Valera-Bernos’ father, incumbent Bangued mayor Domonic Valera, is seeking another term as the capital town’s mayor. The lady governor’s brother, Domino, Pidigan town’s vice mayor, is running in the mayoral race against his erstwhile wife Jannsen, the town mayor.
Rep. Bernos’ wife, Menchie, mayor of La Paz town is also on another term as town mayor, while his sister Poyee is
also on her another term as Danglas town mayor while his brother-in-law, Atty. Russel Bragas is running for a council seat in San Juan town. The PNP earlier on considered Abra still as an area to be monitored in terms of
intense political rivalries often resulting into bloodshed though in the past three elections, incidents have since
died down compared to the bloody rivalries in the past that made Abra infamous.
Abra police director Sr. Supt. Wilson Soliba said it is normal that the province is among those being closely
monitored by authorities given the history of Abra during elections. “That is what we are trying to change with
everybody’s support,” the police official vowed. ACE ALEGRE / ABN