155. THE COUNCILORS OF CABATUAN

THE COUNCILORS OF CABATUAN
Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano
10 May 2022

My wife, Councilor-Elect Jasmin Cabang Lapuz-Miano, was proclaimed at past two in the morning today together with the other elected officials of Cabatuan, Isabela as a result of yesterday’s national and local elections. Councilor Jasmin will hold the distinction of serving four consecutive terms. Her first term was an appointment to fill up the vacancy brought about by my resignation on September 15, 2015 to accept the appointment as Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) of Isabela. My boss; however, ask me to settle for the Assistant PPDC position up to the following year. She served my unexpired term from October 14, 2015 up to June 30, 2016.

Before the era of my wife, Hon. Herminio T. Domincil was the lone councilor of Cabatuan to have served for four consecutive terms during the time when there were no term limits yet. Hon. Domincil served from 1964 to 1986 spanning 22 years. This feat, however, was surmounted by Hon. Rolando G. Velasco who served from 1988-1998, 2001-2010 and 2016 up to present spanning a quarter of a century with eight terms plus his one term as municipal vice mayor from 2010-2013. Hon. Velasco has been recently elected on his ninth term in the Sanggunian. Hon. Hermogenes P. Asuncion, on the other hand, served for almost two decades as councilor from 1988-1998, 2001-2004 and 2013-2019. His service included two terms as municipal vice mayor from 2004-2010.

Doing my research on the historical development of our dear Cabatuan in 1990 at the age of 16, secured me a list of all councilors either elected or appointed. I also encountered councilors who served in the mother town of Cauayan before Cabatuan became a regular municipality in 1949.

Ambatuan, the old name of Cabatuan, became a barrio of Cauayan in 1914. As the village grew, clamor for representation in the municipal council of the mother town catapulted three Cabatuanenses into local politics. Elected in the December 14, 1937 elections and occupied the top three slot were: Hon. Paz Pascua Sales-Cruz, Hon. Francisco Razon and Hon. Atanasio Hizon Dayrit. They served under Mayors Guillermo Blas (1938) and Zoilo Cuntapay (1938-1940).

During the tenure of Mayor Federico P. Acio (1942, 1945-1946; who was also from Cabatuan), three Councilors hailed from Cabatuan: Hon. Pablo Dela Cruz Marcelo, Hon. Jose Castillo and Hon. Lorenzo Acoba Aquino. The first local elections after World War II were held on November 11, 1947 with Hon. Jose Acosta Africano elected as municipal mayor. Four out of six Councilors were residents of Barrio Cabatuan and its integral parts: Hon. Leon Gallo of Namnama, Hon. Jose Castillo, Hon. Nicolas Almirol of Namnama, and Hon. Severo Cabugsa Macugay of Sarrateña (now Barangay Luzon). It was during this term when they sponsored the segregation of Barrio Cabatuan.

Upon the creation of Cabatuan as a regular municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 293 on November 5, 1949, five councilors were appointed: Hon. Federico P. Acio, Hon. Sofronio N. Corpuz, Hon. Luis B. Gomez, Hon. Filomeno S. Miguel and Hon. Damian S. Tomacruz. Also included in the sixth slot was Hon. Severo C. Macugay who carried over his function as councilor of Cauayan to the new town of Cabatuan.

Honored as the first elected Councilors were: Hon. Celestino G. Lomboy, Hon. Juan A. Ganal, Hon. Severo C. Macugay, Hon. Miguel O. Monte, Hon. Hermogenes B. Soriben, and Hon. Damian S. Tomacruz. There were only six councilors in every term and it was only in 1960 when the number of councilors was increased to eight.

In the November 10, 1959 elections, the whole slate of the Liberal Party won all the seats of the council including the mayor and vice mayor slots. In the January 30, 1980 national and local elections, the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) line-up ran unopposed. The May 13, 2019 midterm elections was the third time when the whole line-up of Team Ton-Ton secured all elective slots. While in the 1988 local elections, 37 aspired for the eight slots in the Sangguniang Bayan.

In 1975, Presidential Decree No. 684 established the Kabataang Barangay (KB) with an ex-officio membership in the municipal council. By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 823, slots were also added for sectoral representations for professionals, business, agriculture and for barangay affairs (four seats). It was also during this period when MLGCD Memo Circular 96-75 was implemented Filipinizing the term “Municipal Council” to “Sangguniang Bayan”. In 1982, a permanent ex-officio membership in the Sanggunian was given to the President of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC). In 1991, upon the implementation of the RA 7160, the Kabataan Barangay was changed to Sangguniang Kabataan and retained the same slot reserved for the youth. The ABC also was changed to Liga ng mga Barangay (or Association of Barangay Councils). In 2017, a sectoral representative for agriculture in the Sangguniang Bayan of Cabatuan was created and in 2019, a slot was reserved for the women sector.

There are 21 terms of office of the Sangguniang Bayan of Cabatuan with a total of 123 Cabatuanenses who became Municipal Councilors including the appointives and ex-officios. The following are the Councilors of Cabatuan, Isabela not mentioned earlier: Hon. Jose S. Pilar, Hon. Iñigo B. Tejada, Hon. Jose D. Dacuycuy, Hon. Enrique C. Limon, Hon. Cipriano Diaz, Hon. Anacleto F. Angco, Hon. Andrea S. Pilar-Acosta, Hon. Simeon D. Ancheta, Hon. Evaristo A. Patricio, Hon. Estelito G. Mendoza, Hon. Amado P. Bareng, Hon. Rufino C. Apostol, Hon. Jose M. Rivera, Hon. Cirilo D. Pagatpatan, Hon. Artemio R. Alivia, Hon. Tomas O. Monte, Hon. Jonorio P. Visaya, Hon. Norberto C. Maramba, Hon. Corazon A. Albano, Hon. Leopoldo R. Almirol, Hon. Severo D. Antonio, Hon. Jaime T. Tio, Hon. Ernesto A. Miguel, Hon. Rizalino R. Uy, Hon. Faustino G. Salvador, Hon. Romulo R. Alivia, Hon. Jaime G. Rumbaoa, Hon. Ponciano K. Rosario, Hon. Marciana B. Ramos-Gozum, Hon. Sol T. Consolacion Dayrit-Reyes, Hon. Rolando P. Dacuycuy, Hon. Teofilo P. Uy, Hon. Crispulo S. Santos, Hon. Purisimo J. Marcelo, Hon. Andy P. Bagaoisan, Hon. Saturnino V. Acosta, Hon. Baldomero A. Adaoag, Hon. Rodolfo C. Co, Hon. Cipriano D. Mercado Y Domingcil, Hon. Juanito F. Munsayac, Hon. Pedro B. Ramos, Hon. Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa, Hon. Fred L. Subillaga, Hon. Ederlina G. Bulan-Gammad, Hon. Wilfrido T. Dayrit, Hon. Eugene I. Acosta, Hon. Antonio E. Bagaoisan, Hon. Jose P. Dacuycuy, Jr., Hon. Ernesto Y. Acosta Y Yanuaria, Hon. Mario A. Arreola, Hon. Federico T. Dayrit, Hon. Mario P. Dela Fuente, Hon. Alfredo G. Galicia, Jr., Hon. Ferdinand N. Gomez, Hon. Guillermo G. Manuel, Hon. Ricardo U. Ty, Hon. Sergio A. Uy, Hon. Mariano S. Sales, Jr., Hon. Ricardo A. Coloma, Hon. Santiago A. Ganal, Hon. Valentin A. Salazar, Hon. Juanito A. Tio, Hon. Flaviano M. Torio, Hon. Ireneo A. Visaya, Hon. Helen B. Meris-Gammad, Hon. Franklin P. Macugay, Hon. Arturo Y. Laurado, Hon. Matias C. Cargo, Hon. Edwin S. Santos, Hon. Danilo C. Alivia, Hon. Rodrigo A. Padron, Hon. Amelia R. Flor Gozum-Carreon, Hon. Darrel N. Alivia, Hon. Eliseo L. Orodio, Hon. Feliciano D. Gaspar, Hon. Jaime V. Cadeliña, Hon. Noel A. Dawang, Hon. Jesse C. Suguitan, Hon. Resty A. Ian Dacuycuy, Hon. Bugtong C. Sarmiento, Hon. Orlando Y. Reginaldo, Hon. Roman B. Manibog, Jr., Hon. Septy D. De Belen, Hon. Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr., Hon. Randolph Joseph P. Arreola, Hon. Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo, Hon. Aizza A. Daquioag, Hon. Cid A. Dayrit, Hon. Marval S. Crisologo, Hon. Alfredo Y. Laurado, Hon. Aries A. Calamayan, Hon. Gregg Benedict I. Navarro, Hon. Santiago R. Ganal, Jr., Hon. Charlton L. Uy, Hon. Leonardo C. Alivia, Hon. Renato J. Monte, Hon. Benjamin Isabelo R. Dy, Hon. Nita D. Silverio-Uy, Hon. Chanda A. Gonzales-Uaje, Hon. Jimmy V. Go, Hon. Julian A. Dayrit, Hon. Randy G. Britanico, Hon. Rafael G. Sandan, Jr., Hon. Jomar D. Jarvinia, Hon. Janiele Mae T. Crisologo, Hon. Andres C. Alivia III, Hon. Patchy M. Labuguen and Hon. Arnel M. Castillejos. Yesterday’s local elections added Punong Barangay Krischan V. Laurado as the 124th Sangguniang Bayan Member.

Out of the 124 Councilors, 43 were appointed and 34 of the appointed were never elected as regular members of the Council. Hon. Feliciano D. Gaspar was the oldest to serve at the age of 71 while Hon. Troy Alexander G. Miano was the youngest to serve as a regular member at 24 with only months difference with Hon. Celestino G. Lomboy, Jr. and Hon. Benjamin Isabelo R. Dy.

Two Councilors died in office: Hon. Roman B. Manibog, Jr. and Hon. Marval S. Crisologo. Hon. Severo C. Macugay served as an elected Councilor in two towns: Cauayan and Cabatuan.

Hon. Fedrico P. Acio and Hon. Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa were former mayors when they were appointed as Councilors while two Councilors became mayors, Hon. Cid A. Dayrit and Hon. Charlton L. Uy. Hon. Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr. is the third councilor elected as municipal mayor as a result of yesterday’s election making him the third to assume the post by July 1st of this year.

Nine Councilors became vice mayors of Cabatuan: Hon. Estelito G. Mendoza, Hon. Tomas O. Monte, Hon. Jaime T. Tio, Hon. Romulo R. Alivia, Hon. Purisimo J. Marcelo, Hon. Crispulo S. Santos, Hon. Hermogenes P. Asuncion, Hon. Danilo C. Alivia and Hon. Rolando G. Velasco. Hon. Charlton L. Uy will become the 10th former councilor to become vice mayor as an outcome of this year’s local elections.

Seven Councilors served in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Isabela: Hon. Wilfrido T. Dayrit, Hon. Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa, Hon. Eugene I. Acosta, Hon. Sergio A. Uy, Hon. Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo, Hon. Randolph Joseph P. Arreola and Hon. Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano. Hon. Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa once served as Provincial Secretary of Isabela.

Hon. Sergio A. Uy served as the longest ex-officio - barangay representative for 16 years while Hon. Eugene I. Acosta of Centro served as the longest ex-officio - youth representative for ten years.

Only twelve out of the 124 Councilors are women: Hon. Andrea S. Pilar-Acosta, Hon. Marciana B. Ramos-Gozum, Hon. Sol T. Dayrit-Reyes, Hon. Ederlina G. Bulan-Gammad, Hon. Helen B. Meris-Gammad, Hon. Amelia Flor R. Gozum-Carreon, Hon. Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo, Hon. Aizza A. Daquioag, Hon. Nita D. Silverio-Uy, Hon. Chanda A. Gonzales-Uaje, Hon. Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano & Hon. Janielle Mae T. Crisologo. Among the lady-Councilors, Hon. Sol T. Dayrit-Reyes served the longest number of years (14 years) while Hon. Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano served the most number of terms (four terms). Hon. Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo was the first and only lady ex-officio barangay representative while Hon. Aizza A. Daquioag was the first and only lady ex-officio youth representative.

Ten Councilors were former World War II (Bataan) and guerilla veterans: Hon. Federico P. Acio, Hon. Damian S. Tomacruz, Hon. Celestino G. Lomboy, Hon. Miguel O. Monte, Hon. Enrique C. Limon, Hon. Rufino D. Apostol, Hon. Jose M. Rivera, Hon. Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa, Hon. Cipriano D. Mercado & Hon. Feliciano D. Gaspar.

Thirteen regular Councilors were former Barrio Tenientes and Barangay Captains: Hon. Hermogenes R. Soriben (Namnama), Hon. Enrique C. Limon (Macalaoat), Hon. Leopoldo R. Almirol (Namnama), Hon. Severo B. Antonio (Tandul), Hon. Flaviano M. Torio (Magdalena), Hon. Ireneo A. Visaya (Diamantina), Hon. Bugtong S. Sarmiento (Tandul), Hon. Septy D. De Belen (Sampaloc), Hon. Marval S. Crisologo (Saranay), Hon. Alfredo Y. Laurado (Namnama), Hon. Nita D. Silverio-Uy (San Andres), Hon. Rafael G. Sandan, Jr. (Del Pilar) & Hon. Patchy M. Labuguen (Sampaloc). On July 1 this year, Hon. Krischan V. Laurado (Namnama) will be added on the list.

Six became Barangay Captains after serving as Councilor: Hon. Juan A. Ganal (La Paz), Celestino G. Lomboy (Saranay), Hon. Leopoldo R. Almirol (Namnama), Hon. Ireneo D. Visaya (Diamantina) & Hon. Alfredo G. Galicia, Jr. (Magsaysay).

Out of the 124 Councilors: seven are lawyers, four are doctors of medicine, two are dentists, nine are engineers, & four are certified public accountants.

Four Councilors were of Chinese ancestry: Hon. Jaime Tan Tio, Hon. Teofilo Pua Uy, Hon. Ricardo Uy Ty & Hon. Charlton Liu Uy while Hon. Luis Benjamin Gomez Gomez had pure Spanish ancestry.

Barangay Centro, with 22, has the biggest number of Councilor’s resident in a barangay.

No Councilor has served coming from Barangays Canan, Culing Centro, Del Corpuz, Paraiso and Rang-ay.

Hon. Filomeno S. Miguel of Centro became chief-of-police after becoming a Councilor.

Eleven parent and child served as Councilors: Hons. Atanasio Sr. & Wilfrido Dayrit, Hons. Filomeno & Ernesto Miguel, Hons. Miguel & Renato Monte, Hons. Jose & Rolando Dacuycuy, Hons. Jose & Jose Jr. Dacuycuy, Hons. Artemio & Danilo Alivia, Hons. Romulo & Darrel Alivia, Hons. Marciana & Amelia Flor Gozum-Carreon, Hons. Mario & Randolph Joseph Arreola, Hons. Santiago Sr. & Santiago Ganal, Jr., Hons. Rolando & Resty Ian Dacuycuy and Hon. Marval & Janielle Mae Crisologo.

Eight pairs of siblings served as Councilors: Hons. Miguel & Tomas Monte, Hons. Juan & Santiago Ganal, Hons. Jose & Andrea Pilar-Acosta, Hons. Andy & Antonio Bagaoisan, Hons. Wilfrido & Federico Dayrit, Hons. Arturo & Alfredo Laurado, Hons. Cid & Julian Dayrit and Hons. Leonardo & Andres Alivia III.

One husband and wife became Councilors: Hons. Troy Alexander & Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano.

Two Incumbent Councilors lived in the same house in Saranay; Hons. Amelia Flor R. Gozum-Carreon and Troy Alexander G. Miano during the term 1998-2001.

Four grandparent and grandchild served as Councilors: Hons. Jose D. Dacuycuy & Resty Ian A. Dacuycuy, Hons. Simeon D. Ancheta & Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr., Hons. Marciana B. Ramos-Gozum & Troy Alexander G. Miano and Hons. Marciana B. Ramos-Gozum & Jasmin C. Lapuz- Miano.

Nine Councilors are children of municipal mayors: Hon. Jose D. Dacuycuy (Municipal President Bernardo C. Dacuycuy of Cauayan), Hon. Jaime G. Rumbaoa (Mayor Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa), Hon. Eugene I. Acosta (Mayor Benedicto A. Acosta), Hon. Amelia Flor R. Gozum-Carreon (Mayor Rafael M. Gozum), Hon. Troy Alexander G. Miano (Mayor Narciso Y. Miano of Calbayog City), Hon. Cid A. Dayrit (Mayors Atanasio & Alma Dayrit), Hon. Benjamin Isabelo R. Dy (Mayor Benjamin G. Dy of Cauayan City), Hon. Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano (in law of Mayor Narciso Y. Miano of Calbayog City) and Hon. Julian A. Dayrit (Mayors Atanasio & Alma Dayrit).

Five Councilors are children of municipal vice mayors: Hon. Leopoldo R. Almirol (Vice Mayor Nicolas Almirol), Hon. Darrel N. Alivia (Vice Mayor Romulo R. Alivia), Hon. Troy Alexander G. Miano (Vice Mayor Liliosa G. Miano), Hon. Benjamin Isabelo R. Dy (Vice Mayor Benjamin G. Dy of Cauayan) and Hon. Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano (in law of Vice Mayor Liliosa R. Gozum-Miano)

Five Councilors are grandchildren of mayors: Hons. Rolando & Jose Jr. Dacuycuy (Municipal President Bernardo C. Dacuycuy of Cauayan), Hon. Troy Alexander G. Miano (Mayor Rafael M. Gozum), Hon. Gregg Benedict I. Navarro (Mayor Gregorio G. Isidro), and Hon. Jasmin C. Lapuz- Miano (in-law of Mayor Rafael M. Gozum).

Hon. Resty Ian A. Dacuycuy is the great grandson of Municipal President Bernardo C. Dacuycuy.

Hon. Benjamin Isabelo R. Dy is the son of Isabela Governor Benjamin G. Dy and grandson of Isabela Governor Faustino N. Dy.

Nine Councilors resigned from office to run for higher office: Hon. Celestino G. Lomboy (for vice mayor), Hon. Miguel O. Monte (for mayor), Hon. Jose S. Pilar (for vice mayor), Hon. Tomas O. Monte (for vice mayor & mayor), Hon. Norberto C. Maramba (for vice mayor), Hon. Romulo R. Alivia (for vice mayor), Hon. Hermogenes P. Asuncion (for vice mayor), Hon. Rolando G. Velasco (for mayor) and Hon. Danilo C. Alivia (for vice mayor).

Nine Councilors resigned from office for another career: Hon. Damian S. Tomacruz (resided in Manila & studied Law), Hon. Corazon R. Albano (employed as engineer), Hon. Jonorio P. Visaya (employed as engineer), Hon. Ernesto A. Miguel (practiced law in Bicol), Hon. Rizalino R. Uy (believed his term expired in 1976), Hon. Rolando P. Dacuycuy (believed his term expired in 1976), Hon. Jaime G. Rumbaoa (appointed as Municipal Secretary), Hon. Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo (appointed Sectoral Representative in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan), and Hon. Troy Alexander G. Miano (appointed as Assistant Provincial Planning & Development Coordinator of Isabela).

The recently concluded local elections added one Councilor in the roster of legislators of Cabatuan making a total of 124 Cabatuanenses in the list. During my four terms (14th, 17th, 18th & 19th batch), I have witnessed the active participations of the Councilors in the august halls of the Sanggunian and I am proud to state that the people of Cabatuan knows how to choose its legislators to represent them on national and local issues and development. With the incoming 22nd batch of the Sangguniang Bayan in the municipality known as “The Land of the Golden Grains”, I hope and pray that they will continue to be the instruments of progress, peace, unity and love for the betterment of our beloved town and for the upliftment of the lives of the common tao.

Mabuhay ang Cabatuan!