By DANNY O. SAGUN

LUCAO barangay chair Lino Fernandez seems already assured of bagging the presidency of the Dagupan City Liga ng mga Barangay.

Fernandez, who was re-elected unopposed in the last barangay elections, only needed a formal voting by his peers in the scheduled December 29 Liga election, according to former city local government officer Filemon Vinluan, who keeps himself abreast of the barangay affairs in the city even after his retirement more than a year ago.

A shoo-in for the vice-presidency is Pogo-Chico barangay captain Luis Santiago Samson, bared Vinluan, who added that practically all Liga posts have been filled up.

Fernandez, who is endorsed by the majority of the 31-member Liga, was trying to reach Tapuac chair Joaquin “Jake” Reyes, who had aspired for the presidency in the previous league set-up and again reportedly interested this time, to talk things out,
Vinluan said. “Agto balet natawagan,” he noted.

Controversies rocked the city Liga during the time of outgoing Liga head Tambac barangay head Eric Munoz when majority of the barangay chairmen petitioned the national Liga a couple of times to allow reorganization reportedly due to Munoz’s poor leadership.

The breakaway group even elected a new set of officers with Poblacion Oeste head Guillermo Vallejos as president. But the Liga national leadership refused to recognize the group allowing Munoz to stay on.

Dagupan is seeking election for the city federation ahead of the December 29 schedule for independent component and highly urbanized cities and provinces to allow the new set of officers to preside over the city fiesta barangay night, Vinluan said.

The barangay night last year was organized by the city DILG office due to the Liga controversy involving Munoz’s leadershp.

Municipalities and component cities will hold their respective barangay league elections on December 11, while sangguniang kabataan federation officers will be chosen on December 6, it was gathered. (DOS/PIA)