If Dongkoy prefers Elipe, so be it: Sabal

By JOEY NACALABAN
Correspondent .

PROVINCIAL board member Gerardo Sabal III yesterday maintained that there was no formal discussion in the Padayon Pilipino about the nomination of ex-councilor President Elipe to the provincial board.

But Sabal added that if Padayon Pilipino leader and former mayor Vicente Emano wants Elipe, “then so be it.”

Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vicente Emano confirmed that his brother-in-law has been nominated for a seat in the province’s legislature that was left vacant as a result of the death of provincial board member Mario Emano in November last year.

“There is no other nominee yet as of now,” said Gov. Emano whose father, Vicente, is Padayon Pilipino founding leader.

According to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Emano’s father has already certified the nomination of Elipe to the provincial board as Mario Emano’s replacement. Elipe is the husband of the elder Emano’s daughter Nadya, a city councilor.

Sabal said was no official Padayon Pilipino deliberation on Elipe’s nomination although it was the subject of informal discussions among members.

Sabal said he did not know anything about the nomination but added that he would adhere to the decision of the party’s leader.

“We, as members, will only follow what our leaders want,” said Sabal. “As one of the members of the Padayon Pilipino, I will always adhere to the majority’s decision.”

Gov. Emano said his brother-in-law could help the capitol “if madayon ang maong nomination.”

He said Elipe has already confirmed that he would gladly accept the nomination by the elder Emano.

The younger Emano however pointed out that the Padayon Pilipino can only recommend but the appointing authority would still be the President.