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Henson is new councilors’ league president

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — This city’s Councilor Dein Henson was proclaimed on Monday as the new president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) in Pampanga after winning by a slim margin against Bacolor Councilor Efren Blanco.

Both Henson and Blanco, who stayed at the casting and canvassing of votes at the Benigno Aquino Hall here, were cheered by supporters in what could be the tightest and “hottest” election yet.

Henson garnered 105 votes out of 206 votes casted by councilors from all over the province, while Blanco registered 101 votes. Consequently, Henson will sit as ex-officio board member in the Pampanga Provincial Board (PB).

In an interview, Henson said that he is honored by the confidence given to him by fellow councilors and even lauded Blanco for bringing out a friendly competition. He said that it is now time to form a united PCL under his administration.

“We shall strive to replicate the good practices of councilors into the whole membership of PCL and I will be focusing on addressing the needs of councilors in terms of grassroots legislation,” Henson said, adding that his presence in the PB will also provide a much greater representation to local government units and to councilors of the province.

Henson said that he will be consulting members of the PCL on urgent matters needing legislation in the PB. He also urged PCL members to strive for better local legislation as a way of supporting the administration of Gov. Lilia Pineda.

Henson, at 25, is considered as among the youngest councilors to take the helm of the PCL.

Henson started his political career when he ran, unopposed, for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in Barangay Del Pilar. He also served as SK Federation president of the City of San Fernando from 2002-2007 were he also served as ex-officio city councilor. Last May, he ran as independent city councilor and won a fresh mandate.

Meanwhile, Blanco’s running mate Michael Tapang won over rival Manny Manalo by 124 votes compared to the latter’s 75 votes. Manalo is the former PCL representative to the PB and ran under Henson’s ticket.

Tapang, on the other hand, is the president of the Porac Quarry Association (PQA) and has been making the headlines since for his advocacies to improve quarry and trucking operations here. Tapang, also a prominent businessman, ran and won as one of the leading councilors in Porac town in the recent May elections.

Tapang told Sun.Star Pampanga that he will work with Henson on pursuing the objectives of the PCL and create better representation of the councilors of the province both in provincial and regional affairs. He said that he is thankful for the enormous support given him by a great majority of the councilors.

“The trust that our fellow councilors have given to us will not be in vain. We will strive for better legislative practices and a culture of awareness and participation among our councilors. This is also the time to work together as one unified PCL,” Tapang said.

Meanwhile, Porac Councilor Ludy Muli won as PCL secretary with 111 votes while Apalit Councilor Jedalyn Dalusung won as Secretary General followed by Mulong Guinto for the position of business manager. Both Muli and Guinto ran under Henson’s team.

Canadaba Councilor Edgardo Gulapa and Mexico Councilor Lourdes Sicat of the Blanco team were elected to the positions of auditor and public relations officer, respectively, with the former garnering 95 votes and the latter with 90 votes.

The Blanco group for board of directors won majority of the slates. These include councilors Edith Kabigting of Arayat (93 votes); Edgar Sitchon of Minalin (87 votes); Dominique Marcelo of San Simon (82 votes), Michael Mallari of Guagua (78 votes); Efren Lingat of Sto. Tomas (73 votes); Restituto Montoya of Sta. Ana (69 votes), and Roel Culala of Sasmuan (69 votes). Also, James Loo of the Henson team was elected as the 6th member of the board of directors with 69 votes with Montoya and Culala holding the 7th and 8th posts, respectively.

Blanco, meanwhile, told Sun.Star Pampanga in a phone interview that he will support Henson as chief of the league.

“It still one PCL. And I would support the league in its endeavours. I also would like to thank those who have supported me in my bid,” he said. (Ian Ocampo Flora/with a report from Jovi T. De Leon)

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