Yap–Templonuevo Deny It Decides Tibyog Banga Mayoralty Candidate

As a reaction to the MP article in the October 31 issue, Hon. Jose Yap and Hon. Jerick M. Templonuevo sent a letter denying they decided who is the Tibyog Akean candidate for Mayor of Banga in the May 10, 2010 election.

According to them, the Arbitration Committee chaired by Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino and which Hon. Yap and Hon. Templonuevo are members "was tasked to determine who shall emerge as Tibyog Akean official candidate for Banga".

They tried to settle the issue during a meeting on August 24 held in the Provincial Guest House, Kalibo. Dr. Mercedes Imperial and Vice Mayor Melanio M. Rentillo, Jr. were present among others, but there was no amicable settlement reached.

In order to explain the role of the Arbitration Committee and how Vice Mayor Rentillo was declared official candidate for Mayor of Banga, a copy of Resolution dated September 24, 2009 was furnished the Madyaas Pen which it printed as:

RESOLUTION

That on the basis of the August 25, 2009 Resolution, the Arbitration/Selection Committee stated thus:

"Both parties are requested to submit a listing of their supporters from the Tibyog Akean Sangguniang Bayan of Banga members and chairmen from the barangay councils of Banga respectively signed by their respective supporters to Mr. Franklin L. Quimpo at the ABL Sports Complex, Kalibo, Aklan not later than September 1, 2009. The documents to be submitted to Mr. Franklin L. Quimpo shall thereafter be sent to the Tibyog Executive Committee."

"The Executive Committee, from the documents herein requested to be submitted, shall determine whether to declare the conduct of a convention of Tibyog Akean members in the Municipality of Banga to determine their mayoralty official candidate for the 2010 national and local elections or declare the official candidate on the basis of majority supporters from Tibyog Akean members in the Banga Sangguniang Bayan and chairmen of the Sangguniang Barangay Councils."

That, accordingly, a votation was made and held by Sangguniang Bayan Members and Barangay Chairmen of the Municipality of Banga identified with Tibyog Akean on August 27, 2009 with the result of Vice Mayor Melanio M. Rentillo, Jr. having an edge vis-à-vis the votes cast for Dr. Mercedes D. Imperial.

Without further lengthening discussions as time is of the essence considering Commission on Election Resolution No. 8646 promulgated on July 14, 2009 on the filing of Certificate of Candidacy on November 20, 2009 to November 30, 2009, it is recommended to the Executive Committee of Tibyog Akean to declare Vice Mayor Melanio M. Rentillo, Jr. the official candidate for Municipal Mayor of Tibyog Akean in the Municipality of Banga.

Kalibo, Aklan, Philippines. September 24, 2009. (Sgd.) Ronquillo C. Tolentino, Chairman; (Sgd.) Jose S. Yap, and (Sgd.) Jerick Templonuevo, Members.

Hon. Yap and Hon. Templonuevo are requesting "Dr. Mercedes Imperial to rectify her erroneous statement".

Is Vice Mayor Rentillo declared Tibyog Akean official candidate for Mayor of Banga? The Arbitration Committee Resolution just recom-mended Rentillo to the Executive Committee. Has the Executive Committee declared Mr. Rentillo Tibyog Akean official candidate for Mayor of Banga? /MP