Edward Gasambelo won over Andres Leonardia for director of Central Negros Electric Cooperative in District IV in Bacolod City in the elections held Saturday.

Gasambelo, an electrical engineer, who was backed by Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella and CENECO president Roberto Montelibano, in his bid, garnered 2,811 against Leonardia’s 2,458 votes.

He will represent District IV or Bacolod East, covering Brgys. Villamonte, Montevista, Alangilan, Granada, Estefania, Vista Alegre, Mansilingan and Abkasa.

Days before the election, Leonardia had filed a disqualification protest against Gasambelo for allegedly engaging in businesses with CENECO but the screening committee dismissed the petition as Gasambelo also filed a similar protest against Leonardia.

“I have a strong opponent but maybe the consumers need someone who can explain things clearly to them. I’m an electrical engineer so technical and service-wise I have an edge,” Gasambelo said.

Meanwhile, lawyer Vicente Sabornay won in District V or Bacolod with 1,715 votes over Brgy. 39 chairman Dante Danoy who got only 695 votes.

Both Danoy and Sabornay had also filed a disqualification protest against each other.

District V includes Brgys. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 34, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and Singcang.

In Talisay City or District VIII, lone candidate Aaron Pabon was declared winner.    

 Montelibano said that after the elections, everyone should now look forward to a greater electric cooperative.   

“The consumers have chosen the right candidates for the job ahead,” said Montelibano of Gasambelo and Sabornay, who were supported by the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry which he also heads.

CENECO, which covers nine districts in the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay, and Talisay and the municipalities of Murcia and Don Salvador Benedicto, has about 120,000 consumers.*NLG

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