Aklan PCL Elects Cleope Prexy

by Odon S. Bandiola

Sangguniang Bayan Member Apolinar C. Cleope of Balete, Aklan was elected President of the Philippine Councilor’s League – Aklan Chapter (PCL) in an elections held on August 19, 2013 at the Governor Corazon L. Cabagnot Memorial Tourism and Training Center, Buswang Old, Kalibo, Aklan.

Thus, Cleope assumed as new member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan. He sat for the first time as such during the 7th Regular Session of the 16th Aklan SP on August 22, 2013. He took over the seat Tangalan SB member Jay Tejada vacated who was elected executive vice president during the same election.

An Atenean when he took up his law studies, Cleope is a veteran local legislator. He served as SB member of Balete from 1998 to 2007. He was elected again as SB member of the same Municipality in 2010 up to the present.

Cleope is the former Provincial Secretary of the Province of Capiz from 1989 to 1998. He has also served as Municipal Administrator of Balete, Aklan from 2007 to 2010.

Cleope’s ascendancy to the presidency of the PCL was unopposed as the great majority of his fellow SB members in the 17 towns of Aklan belong to the political party of Congressman Teodorico T. Haresco Jr., Governor Florencio T. Miraflores and Vice Governor Gabrielle V. Calizo – Quimpo.

Having succeeded Tejada, Cleope also took over the SP Committees as Chairman of the Committee on NGO’s/PO’s and as member of the Committees on: Barangay Affairs; Human Rights; Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and Indigenous people; and, Youth and Sports Development.

Elected with Cleope to the PCL hierarchy are: Tangalan SB member Jay E. Tejada – Executive Vice President; New Washington SB member Celia C. Dela Cruz – Vice President – East; Malinao SB member Richard I. Iquiña – Vice President – West; Banga SB member Teddy C. Tupas – secretary - general; Numancia SB member Bayani M. Cordova – treasurer; Kalibo SB member Mark V. Quimpo – auditor; Lezo SB member George R. Villarubia – P.R.O; Nabas SB member Ricardito G. De Asis – business manager; and, Provincial Federation Directors: Joena B. Parco (Batan), Ronnie I. Panadero (Altavas), Macario O. Panganiban (Buruanga), Sofia R. Nalangan (Madalag), Jupiter Aelred G. Gallenero (Malay), Medardo S. Placer (Batan), Julio M. Estolloso (Ibajay) and Salvador P. Tenazas (Makato). /MP