YLAGAN BEATS BELTRAN
MADRONA CASTIGATED FOR OVERSPENDING,
VOTE BUYING
By Gilbert Minano
In a one-sided electoral contest held here last May 14, incumbent Governor Perpetuo "Totoy" Barredo Ylagan, Lakas-NUCD-People Power Coalition standard bearer, battered both ex-Assemblyman Natalio M. Beltran, Jr. of Pader Reforma-LM and third force LDP candidate Nicon Fameronag for Congressman, in all but three municipalities in the lone District of Romblon. Ylagan (47,586) registered 16,527 votes over Beltran (31,059) and 43,637 vote againts Fameronag (3,949) based on the final and official counts of canvass conducted by the Commission on Election (COMELEC).Congressman Eleandro "Budoy" F. Madrona (58,967) on the other hand, demolished Lorna C. Madrid (24,971) even more for governor in what observers claimed was a foregone conclusion even before election day. He posted more than 33,986 votes agiants Madrid.Jun Beltran who once ruled Romblon politics for a while, is the former ally of the newly elected congressman. Fameronag on the other hand is considered neophyte politician from Sibale and founder/convenor of the so-called Romblon Reforn Caucus.The records available on file disclosed that, now Congressman Ylagan, or Totoy among friends and supporters, is the first incumbent governor, since we became a sub-province of Capiz in almost 100 years (1907) to be ever catapulted to Congress after his equally illustrious predecessors in the likes of Governors Juan Fetalvero, Atty. Manuel T. Alvero, Atty. Jovencio Q. Mayor, Dr. Antonio Mayuga, and Atty. Jose M. Madrid, have all failed in their countless attempts for the coveted position and emerge triumphant like Ylagan.All the provincial and mayoralty candidates belonging to Ylagan were elected without much resistance from the opposition, except in the town of Odiongan were Mayor-elect Estanislao "Diday" M. Famatiga, pulled an upset victory againts the incumbent, Jemly Hanskin Fernandez, allegedly due to the help of the Iglesia ni Kristo (INK). Anthony "Bong" Atienza, TIELCO Board Director and respected citizen of Odiongan explains that "the people of Odiongan can decide for themselves because we are all intelligent voters", he said.Jory Faderanga, the consumate politician who strongly disavowed any loyalty to Beltran and Ylagan, has recaptured his post as Mayor of Banton, on his own merit and ubiquitous stance in the last election.Dr. Joey Cabrera, is the lone survivor in the so-called "straight voting tactics", employed allegedly, on orders of Budoy and Totoy for Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Said strategy greatly favored administration aspirants Atty. Amando "Amading" Martinez, Jr. and old members, Andrew Fondevilla, Ronnie Fortu (2nd Dist.), Dr. Juan Montana, Sammy Rey Romero, Don John Morgado and Francisco Solis of the 1st District for the Provincial Board.The "neck to neck" encounter in the municipality of Calatrava, wherein three term Mayor Alice Capa Fetalvero who ran againts Elmer Fortu, the brother of SP Fortu and won by nine votes, as well as the three cornered fight in Magdiwang, Romblon were Jolly Monton emerged victorious againts Vice Mayor Rocha and retired banker Ibarra Manzala, was rather the exception, than the "rule".It was easy victory for Mayors Nicasio M. Ramos, Cajidiocan; Papeng Mayor, Ferrol; Nannette Tansinco, San Fernando; Leo Merida, Romblon; Lourdes Corpin Madrona, San Agustin; Pedro M. Mindo, Sta. Maria; Gemeliano Galicia, Jr., San Andres; Leila Arboleda, Looc; Aser Vesca, Sta. Fe; Filipino Tandog, San Jose; Ding Galisanao, Alcantara; Bebiano Fanlo, Corcuera; and Mayor Fabregas of Concepcion, Sebali Island.Jun Beltran, was supported by the solid INK votes, but did not matter much to the combine forces of Ylagan and Madrona. Beltran however, has charged the duo of "massive vote buying and over spending". Beltran claims, that his defeat in the last May election was not the victory of Madrona and Ylagan but the "death of a free, honest and clean election in Romblon". "It will be the same family and traditional politicians that will reign again in the province", he said. His political enemies however has only belittled Beltran's accusations and accused him instead of the same electoral crime. "He has in fact pioneered the use of patronage politics and money in the past", Mayor Ramos, retorted.Gubernatorial husband and former Governor Jose Madrid likewise denounced Madrona's "giving away of motorcycles to barangay captains and money ot the voters to as much as P500.00 to P800.00 each, to bastardize the sanctity of the ballots". The camp of Madrid disclosed to Romblon Today its plan to institute formal complaints againts the barangay captains for "electioneering" and similar "offenses" to some individuals, in due time."The seemingly unlimited resources and well-oiled machinery of Ylagan and Madrona, which the opposition failed to muster, must have been the dealiest blow unleashed to the rescinding fighting spirit of the opposition", SP candidate Jack Rojas declared. Rojas, who bolted the group of Beltran to run as independent, earlier predicted the victory of the Ylagan/Madrona tandem, during his campaign sorties in Sibuyan, Romblon, and three islands."The disheartened Beltran might just abandon politics for good after suffering two consecutive defeats as a congressional candidate in Tondo, Manila and in the May 14 elections", Rojas finally said. Atty. Manuel R. Recto and Rojas was among the first candidates to offer congratulatory and victory greetings to their political opponents, for what they said is done "for the sake of unity of the people and progress of the province".In a simple ceremony held at the Provincial Capitol after the proclamation of winning candidates by the COMELEC, Congressman Ylagan declared that "foremost in my heart is the well being of the youth in Romblon". Mr. Elmo Panopio, Ylagan's point man and crisis manager in Sibuyan Island, bared the so-called "Four Point Agenda" of the Congressman elect which include "Quality Education and scholarship for the youth; Political and electoral reform, Environmental protection; and Economic development for Romblon".In no uncertain terms, Panopio boldly declared that "Totoy" who is a God fearing family man and successful businessman will do his best and never fail the people of Romblon".The Staff and writers of Romblon Today wish Congressman Perpetuo Barredo Ylagan good health, peace, success and more power.
