Eddie Guillem, incumbent board president of the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, was reelected as director of District III (Bacolod Central) on Saturday and is seen to face a challenge from prominent businessman-sugar planter Roberto Montelibano, who was elected director of District VII (Murcia), in his quest to retain the CENECO presidency.

Guillem, who defeated Rodolfo Salga and Rene Tan at the voting held at the A. Mabini Elementary School, won a second term that ends in 2009.

He told the DAILY STAR yesterday his reelection shows that he has an overwhelming mandate from CENECO consumers and proves his impressive performance in the last three years.

Montelibano, president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was the lone candidate in Murcia where his family owns vast landholdings.

He refused to confirm reports that he is eyeing the CENECO presidency.

It's still premature to discuss it when I've just been elected. We'll see what happens next, Montelibano told the DAILY STAR. He said that his primary concern is the welfare of the CENECO consumers who elected him, adding that his goal is also to make the electric cooperative friendly to the business sector.

Montelibano said he will push that CENECO will make it easier for business establishments, including subdivision developers, to have access to its services.

He said that businessmen are also consumers and they want complementary relationship with CENECO. Guillem, for his part, said that it is Montelibano's right to run for the CENECO presidency but he is confident that he has the support of almost all directors.

Including him, the board is composed of nine directors, each representing a CENECO district.

I don't know who are his allies in the board but it remains to be seen, Guillem said, adding that Montelibano doesn't yet have a performance to speak of as CENECO director.

The board of directors will hold a reorganization meeting in May after the General Membership Assembly.

Also elected as director for District II (Bacolod South) was Julius Tamayo.*NLG

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