2 eyed as late Batac’s dad replacement

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Batac City—At least two persons have been recommended to replace the late Batac councilor Amable Abellon.

Batac Mayor Jeffrey Jubal C. Nalupta disclosed that he has informed Ilocos Norte Gov. Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos on the status of the Batac Sangguniang Panlungsod. The Local Government Code states that it would be the governor who would choose the replacement provided the required processes are followed.

Mr. Nalupta revealed further that he endorsed one of the two aspirants even if he is not a member of the Nacionalista Party. The law requires the replacement to come from the same party if the deceased belonged to a political party.

Mr. Nalupta explained that his Liberal Party and the NP were one during the 2013 elections and that the late councilor ran under his ticket. Thus he endorsed a replacement.

The mayor however was mum on who he recommended.

Earlier, the wife of the late councilor, Dr. Alice Abellon, was being floated to fill the vacant post.

Meanwhile, Batac Vice Mayor Ronald Allan M. Nalupta said they received a letter from the provincial government’s legal officer II Att. Eric Q. Cua.

The letter coming from unidentified retired Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police officers, he said, recommends the appointment of a Col. Vicente Castro to replace the late Mr. Abellon.

Mr. Nalupta added that there was a marginal note on the letter from the governor but he did not reveal what was written.

The vice mayor instead asked everyone to wait for the governor’s decision.

However, he added that those behind the recommendation should have stated their names for it to become more formal instead of simply anonymous former military and police officers.

Mr. Nalupta however said that he personally knows Mr. Castro as a retired AFP officer from Batac.

Mr. Castro is the uncle of the Batac mayor, being a brother of his mother.

The Ilocos Times however learned that the mayor’s recommended person is not his uncle.

In a related development, the vice mayor said the committees left vacant by Mr. Abellon’s death have been filled after the approval of the council during a regular session.

Batac councilor Avelard Ibarra Crisostomo asked that the vacant committees will be turned over to Mr. Abellon’s replacement.

Mr. Abellon died on December 25, 2014.