POWER STRUGGLE BUILDS UP IN LA UNION TOWN

July 2, 2022 Headlines

BAGUIO CITY – A power struggle is building up in Agoo, La Union after the Commission on Elections disqualified proclaimed town mayor Frank Sibuma as a candidate in the May 9, 2022 polls.
The Comelec’s Special Second Division has directed the Agoo Municipal Board of Canvassers to annul the proclamation of Sibuma and install his political opponent instead.
In the 5-page Writ of Execution, the MBOC was ordered to reconvene in the afternoon of July 5, 2022, to execute its directive and amend or correct the Certificate of Canvass of Votes and the Proclamation for the position of Mayor.
Likewise, the MBOC was also directed to proclaim incumbent mayor Stefanie Ann Eriguel Calongcagon, who though have lost by almost 5,000 votes.
But Sibuma, beaming with his mandate of over 21,000 votes, together with his supporters holed themselves at the town hall Thursday at noon pitching a battle against Calongcagon, banking for a temporary restraining order (TRO) by the Supreme Court to stop the execution of his disqualification.
“We are 21,364 strong. Kakayanin ko ang laban dahil kasama ko kayo. Muli’t muli, maraming salamat po sa suporta niyo,” he told the crowd holding vigil at the town hall.
The poll body’s Writ of Execution was issued last June 29 based on the May 16, 2022 resolution of its Second Division granting an earlier petition of a certain Alma Panelo to cancel Sibuma’s Certificate of Candidacy on the question of residency. But his brother proclaimed Aringay town Mayor Benjamin said, they were all born in Agoo but only moved to Aringay because of their mother’s trade. Frank though had re-established residence in Agoo before the May polls.
“Haan kayo agar-aramid iti madi” (Don’t do anything bad here), the proclaimed Agoo mayor asked his supporters, while waiting for the Court on his TRO petition. Offices and other public areas at the town hall were reportedly padlocked since Wednesday night purportedly to block Sibuma from taking over his post.
Policemen have also been deployed around the periphery of the town hall to maintain peace and order, though no movements have become apparent from Calongcagon’s camp.
Calongcagon is the daughter of former Second District lawmaker Sandra Eriguel, who also lost by a wide margin in the May polls to Rep. Dante Garcia, an ally of the Sibumas.
Artemio A. Dumlao/AB