What was expected as a battle royal among the big shots in Ilocos Sur politics turned out as a gamely contested one as the vice mayors in the province cast their support to San Esteban Vice Mayor Norman V. Mendoza who was elected unopposed as President of the Vice Mayors League Provincial Chapter.
Held at the Vigan Cultural and Trade Center on July 30, 2004, the vice mayors of the province chose their set of officers and the group line up of Vice Mayor Mendoza won unopposed. The other officers are Edgar Tejada (Santa) Executive Vice President; Richard Varilla (San Juan ) 1st District VP; Dr. Jovito Ellorin (Santiago) 2nd District VP;Samuel Subagan, Jr. (Suyo) Upland VP; Nestor Itchon (Candon City) Treasurer;Estrella Hernaez (Sta. Lucia) Secretary General; Gemma Padaong (Caoayan) Asst. Sec. Gen.; Riolita Balbalan (Burgos) Auditor ; Floro Peredo (Bantay) PRO; Franz Ranchez (Vigan City) & Antonio Rabang (Sta. Catalina) 1st District Directors; John John Reyes (Sta. Maria) & Rodrigo Romano (Sta. Cruz) 2nd District Directors; Onofre Bistuyong (Alilem) & Allen Nimo (Quirino) Upland Directors.
Gov. Chavit Singson and brother, Provincial Board Member Jerry Singson gave their full support to Vice Mayor Mendoza. An early contender for League President was Atty. Rex Morales (Cabugao) a townmate and protegee of Vice Gov. DV Savellano and husband of Provincial Board Member Anna Europa Morales (San Esteban/Santa). Congressman Eric Singson did not field any candidate and instead some of his party stalwarts joined the Mendoza line up.
The Vice Mayors League was created in 1992 primarily to see the welfare of every member and holds monthly meetings where every one benefits thru exchange of ideas. Intricate legislative matters are dissected and programs start to crystallize from the leagues initiative. It is also a strong lobby group that can pass resolutions for consideration by the President of the Philippines. The League plans to undertake an educational trip to Thailand or any Asian country to study and learn from their successful agricultural and industrial programs. The first monthly meeting with the induction of officers will be held at the Ursa Major Beach Resort (owned by Burgos Vice Mayor Rio Balbalan) at a date to be announced later.
This is another feather to the cap of Vice Mayor Mendoza. His colleagues in the past VM League knew him to be a capable leader. The members were aware of the election protest filed against Vice Mayor Mendoza but still he got their overwhelming trust and support. This is also a big honor to the town of San Esteban as no other San Estebanian had the distinction of heading an exalted position. These are times when we can say, “Proud to be a San Estebanian!”
/:susan (S.A.E.)
