The Different Political Administrations of the Municipality of Cabatuan

Excerpts from the THE LAND OF THE GOLDEN GRAINS by Troy Alexander Gozum Miano, DPA

The TERM of MAYOR GOZUM

The first local election was held on November 1, 1951 with Principal Clerk, Rafael M. Gozum elected as municipal mayor and Teniente del Barrio Ireneo F. Junio of Canan as his vice mayor. The elected municipal councilors were: Juan A. Ganal of La Paz; USAFFE Sgt. Celestino G. Lomboy of Saranay; Cauayan Municipal Councilor Severo C. Macugay of Luzon; Miguel O. Monte of Centro East; Teniente del Barrio Hermogenes B. Soriben of Namnama; and USAFFE Capt. Damian S. Tomacruz of Centro West.

On November 30, 1954, the cornerstone of the proposed town hall was laid on a 13,500 square meter lot donated by the founders of Cabatuan led by Señor Leocadio Acio in what is now Barangay Centro. The funds for the construction of the municipal town hall came from the civic and patronal town fiestas. The municipal town hall was inaugurated on January 1, 1956.

Mayor Gozum ran again on November 8, 1955 and won with re-electionist Vice Mayor Ireneo F. Junio. The elected members of the municipal council were: Dr. Jose S. Pilar of Magdalena; Atty. Iñigo B. Tejada of Sampaloc; re-electionist Major Damian S. Tomacruz; Atty. Jose D. Dacuycuy of Centro East; Barrio Teniente Enrique C. Limon of Macalaoat and former appointed councilor Atty. Luis B. Gomez. Months later, Councilor Tomacruz resigned and his position was filled-up by the appointment of Cipriano C. Diaz of Calaocan. On September 1959, Vice Mayor Junio resigned and was replaced with the appointment of Felix C. Cadeliña of Centro West as vice mayor. Councilor Pilar also resigned upon filing of his certificate of candidacy and his post was taken by the appointment of Dr. Anacleto F. Angco of Centro East.

The TERM of MAYOR RUMBAOA

Former OIC-Mayor Rumbaoa won in the next mayoralty race on November 10, 1959 and took office on January 1, 1960 with his vice mayor, Fermin P. Medina of Centro West. Their municipal councilors were: Andrea S. Pilar-Acosta of Del Pilar; Simeon D. Ancheta of Centro West; Evaristo A. Patricio of Luzon; Estelito G. Mendoza of Calaocan; Sofronio N. Corpuz of Macalaoat; Amado P. Bareng of Sampaloc; Rufino D. Apostol of La Paz; and Jose M. Rivera of Diamantina. The elections of 1959, was the first political party line-up which won straight from mayor down to the last councilor.

Months before Mayor Rumbaoa’s term ended, he resigned to become provincial secretary under the governorship of Melanio T. Singson. Vice Mayor Fermin P. Medina assumed the position of mayor on September 15, 1963 by virtue of succession and continued the remaining unexpired term of his predecessor. Councilor Estelito G. Mendoza assumed as vice mayor and the vacant position was filled up with the appointment of Cirilo D. Pagatpatan of Calaocan as municipal councilor.

The TERM of MAYOR ACOSTA

Dr. Benedicto A. Acosta, a World War II veteran from Del Pilar, became the next mayor when he was elected on November 5, 1963. He held office on January 1, 1964 with his vice mayor, Estelito G. Mendoza. Their municipal councilors were: Atty. Artemio R. Alivia of Magdalena; Tomas O. Monte of Centro East; re-electionist Andrea S. Pilar-Acosta; Herminio T. Domincil of Sampaloc, Engr. Jonorio P. Visaya of Nueva Era, Atty. Norberto C. Maramba of Luzon, re-electionist Simeon D. Ancheta; and Engr. Corazon R. Albano of Del Pilar. Councilor Albano resigned early in his term and was replaced by the appointment of Teniente del Barrio Leopoldo R. Almirol of Namnama as municipal councilor. While Councilor Visaya, who was busy assigned in the Magat project, was substituted by the appointment of Barrio Captain Severo B. Antonio of Tandul as municipal councilor.

Mayor Acosta was re-elected unopposed in the November 14, 1967 national and local elections with Tomas O. Monte as vice mayor. Their municipal councilors were: Jaime T. Tio of Magdalena; Atty. Ernesto A. Miguel of Centro; re-electionist Herminio T. Domincil; Rizalino R. Uy of T. Abad; Engr. Faustino S. Salvador of La Paz; Romulo R. Alivia of Del Pilar; Jaime G. Rumbaoa of Magdalena; and Ponciano K. Rosario of Namnama. Vice Mayor Monte and Councilor Alivia resigned on September 1971 upon filing their certificates of candidacy in the upcoming elections. Councilor Tio was elevated to the position of vice mayor and Marciana B. Ramos-Gozum of Saranay was appointed municipal councilor.

Seeking another term, Mayor Acosta ran and won on November 8, 1971 and had Romulo R. Alivia as his vice mayor. Their municipal councilors were: Sol T. Dayrit-Reyes of Centro; re-electionist Herminio T. Domincil; Dr. Rolando P. Dacuycuy of Centro; Teofilo P. Uy of Saranay; re-electionist Jaime G. Rumbaoa; Engr. Crispulo S. Santos of Macalaoat; Purisimo J. Marcelo of Sampaloc and re-electionist Rizalino R. Uy.

Cabatuan’s first Municipal Agronomist (1949-1951), Wilfrido T. Dayrit, was elected as Senior Provincial Board Member of Isabela. The term of Mayor Acosta and the rest of the elected officials were extended further due to the declaration of Presidential Decree 1081, otherwise known as Martial Law. However, Councilors Dacuycuy and Rizalino Uy resigned for they believed that their terms should have ended on December 31, 1975.

Upon the creation of the Kabataang Barangay (Presidential Decree 684) in 1975, Andy P. Bagaoisan was elected and represented the youth in the municipal council. In compliance with Presidential Decree 826, additional officials were appointed to the municipal council as sectoral representatives. They were: Juanito F. Munsayac of Centro representing the professionals; Rodolfo C. Co of San Andres representing the business sector; former Mayor Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa representing the agriculture and labor sector; and the barangay affairs representatives were: Barrio Captain Saturnino V. Acosta of Nueva Era; Barrio Captain Baldomero A. Adaoag of San Andres; Barrio Captain Cipriano D. Mercado of Del Pilar; and Barrio Captain Pedro B. Ramos of Macalaoat. It was also in this period when MLGCD Memo Circular 96-75 was implemented Filipinizing the name “municipal council” to “sangguniang bayan”. Former mayor Teodulfo D. Rumbaoa was also appointed member of the sangguniang panlalawigan and served from 1976 to 1980.

After Martial Rule was lifted, Mayor Acosta was elected unopposed in the January 30, 1980 elections with re-electionist Vice Mayor Romulo R. Alivia. Their sangguniang bayan members were: Fred L. Subillaga of Del Pilar; re-electionist Sol T. Dayrit-Reyes; re-electionist Herminio T. Domincil; re-electionist Purisimo J. Marcelo; re-electionist Teofilo P. Uy; re-electionist Jaime G. Rumbaoa; re-electionist Crispulo S. Santos; and Ederlina G. Bulan-Gammad of Calaocan.

Former Senior Provincial Board Member Wilfrido T. Dayrit of Centro was elected as Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President. Dayrit was elevated to the position of ex-officio sangguniang panlalawigan member and Barangay Captain Antonio E. Bagaoisan of Saranay, the league’s vice president assumed the post vacated by Dayrit in the sanggunian.

Emerging winner in the May 17, 1982 elections for Kabataang Barangay President was Eugene I. Acosta of Centro and. In 1983, Jose P. Dacuycuy, Jr. of Magdalena was elected ABC President.

The TRANSITION PERIOD

One of the aftermaths of the popular People Power revolt in February of 1986, was the appointment of new leaders. The roster of officials of the municipality, which were selected by Local Government Minister Luis Santos; Gregorio G. Isidro of Centro as OIC-mayor and Liliosa R. Gozum-Miano of Saranay as OIC-vice mayor. The appointed sangguniang bayan members were: Ernesto Y. Acosta of Centro; Mario A. Arreola of Nueva Era; Federico T. Dayrit of San Andres; Dr. Mario P. dela Fuente of Magdalena; Alfredo G. Galicia, Jr. of Magsaysay; Ferdinand N. Gomez of Diamantina; Guillermo G. Manuel of Centro; and Engr. Ricardo U. Ty of Magdalena. Heading the Association of Barangay Captains was Dr. Sergio A. Uy of San Andres while the youth was represented by Mariano S. Sales, Jr. of Magdalena. However, elected KB chair, Eugene I. Acosta, imposed his right and sat in the sanggunian.

On November 11, 1987, the Philippine Constabulary – Integrated National Police (PC/INP) headed by Police Captain Gregorio A. Pua and Mayor Isidro, in coordinated efforts with the elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), had an encounter with the New Peoples Army (NPA) at Barangay Culing West. One rebel was captured and four others were killed in the incident. Recovered were: three M-16 rifles, an AK-47 rifle, a hand-held radio and several subversive documents. The encounter lasted until November 14, 1987.

On December 5, 1987, former Mayor Rafael M. Gozum was appointed town-head to oversee the first free elections of the new government. His vice mayor was former Councilor Purisimo J. Marcelo. The appointed sangguniang bayan members included: Ricardo A. Coloma of Macalaoat; Santiago A. Ganal of La Paz; Valentin A. Salazar of Centro; Juanito A. Tio of Calaocan; Barangay Captain Flaviano M. Torio of Magdalena; re-appointed Ricardo U. Ty; and Barangay Captain Ireneo A. Visaya of Diamantina.

Emerging triumphant in the January 18, 1988 local race was long-time serving mayor, Dr. Benedicto A. Acosta. He held office on February 20, 1988 with two time Sangguniang Bayan Member Engr. Crispulo S. Santos as vice mayor. Their sangguniang bayan members were: Helen B. Meris-Gammad of Calaocan; Assistant Municipal Treasurer Hermogenes P. Asuncion of Culing East; Franklin P. Macugay of Nueva Era; Engr. Arturo Y. Laurado of Sampaloc; Rolando G. Velasco of Saranay; Matias C. Cargo of Sampaloc; Edwin S. Santos of Saranay; and Danilo C. Alivia of Magdalena.

Dr. Sergio A. Uy was elected on March 28, 1989 as Association of Barangay Captain (ABC) President and Eugene I. Acosta as re-elected Kabataang Barangay President. On March 1992, ABC President Sergio Uy was elevated to the position of ex-officio sangguniang panlalawigan member, representing the Association of Barangay Captains.

The TERM of the MAYOR ATANASIO JR., ALMA and CID DAYRIT

In the May 11, 1992 national and local elections, Dr. Atanasio T. Dayrit, Jr. of San Andres, won as municipal mayor with re-electionist Crispulo S. Santos as his vice mayor. The sangguniang bayan was composed of re-electionist Danilo C. Alivia; re-electionist Hermogenes P. Asuncion; re-electionist Rolando G. Velasco; re-electionist Franklin P. Macugay; Rodrigo A. Padron of Centro; re-electionist Edwin S. Santos, former OIC Sangguniang Bayan Member Ernesto Y. Acosta; and Barangay Kagawad Amelia Flor R. Gozum-Carreon of Saranay.

In 1992, the Kabataan Barangay was changed to Sangguniang Kabataan and Darrel N. Alivia of Del Pilar was the first elected Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President on December 4, 1992. Dr. Sergio A. Uy served his third term upon his election as Pangulo ng Liga ng mga Barangay (formerly ABC) on May 9, 1994. LMB President Uy also served as an ex-officio member of the sangguniang panlalawigan while LMB Vice President Barangay Captain Eliseo L. Orodio was elevated to the position vacated by Dr. Uy in the Sanggunian and served from August 1994 to October 1995.

On June 26, 1993, a monumental edifice, the Magat Bridge was inaugurated by His Excellency President Fidel V. Ramos. The bridge which was a part of the Santiago-Tuguegarao Highway was a pet project of Her Excellency President Corazon C. Aquino for Isabela under the recommendation of Isabela’s first senator, Heherson T. Alvarez. The project connects permanently the towns of Cabatuan and Aurora.

In the midnight of October 26, 1993, the Municipal Town Hall was reduced to ashes. All records, equipments, furniture and fixtures were burned. Only the concrete parts of the building withstood the towering inferno. The municipal officials and employees moved to the TCGI Building, the temporary residence of the Consultants for the construction of the Magat Bridge at the Sports Complex in Barangay Sampaloc. The officials of Cabatuan exhausted all means to build a new town hall. And through the joint efforts of the national leaders headed by Senator Heherson T. Alvarez and the civic-minded citizens of Cabatuan, a new town hall was built and was inaugurated on April 28, 1996.

Vice Mayor Santos and SB Member Alivia resigned on March 23, 1995 as they filed their certificates of candidacy for mayor and vice mayor, respectively. SB Member Asuncion was elevated to the position of vice mayor by virtue of the law of succession and Feliciano D. Gaspar of Sampaloc and former OIC-Sangguniang Bayan Member Ireneo A. Visaya were appointed municipal councilors.

In the local elections on May 8, 1995, Mayor Dayrit won a second term with two-time Sangguniang Bayan Member Danilo C. Alivia as his vice mayor. Their sangguniang bayan members were: re-electionist Rolando G. Velasco; re-electionist Amelia Flor R. Gozum-Carreon; re-electionist Hermogenes P. Asuncion; re-electionist Franklin P. Macugay; re-electionist Ernesto Y. Acosta; Engr. Jaime V. Cadeliña of Diamantina; Barangay Kagawad Noel A. Dawang of Saranay; and Jesse C. Suguitan of Sampaloc.

Resty Ian A. Dacuycuy of Centro was elected Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President on May 6, 1996 while Dr. Sergio A. Uy was again elected as Pangulo ng Liga ng mga Barangay on May 12, 1997. SB Members Velasco and Asuncion resigned on March 27, 1998 to file their certificates of candidacy. Former Barangay Captain Bugtong C. Sarmiento of Tandul and Engr. Orlando Y. Reginaldo of Culing West were appointed sangguniang bayan members to fill-up the vacant positions.

The result of the May 11, 1998 local elections catapulted Mayor Dayrit into his third term as local chief executive. Vice Mayor Alivia won his second term and the sangguniang bayan members were: re-electionist Jaime V. Cadeliña; re-electionist Amelia Flor R. Gozum-Carreon; Troy Alexander G. Miano of Saranay; former Sangguniang Bayan Member Edwin S. Santos; Roman B. Manibog, Jr. of Sampaloc; re-electionist Jesse C. Suguitan; two-time Punong Barangay Septy D. de Belen of Sampaloc; and former KB President Eugene I. Acosta.

Cabatuan’s first lady local chief executive was Alma A. Aspilla-Dayrit of San Andres, wife of three-term Mayor Atanasio T. Dayrit, Jr. She emerged as the winner in the May 14, 2001 polls with Dr. Mario I. Acosta of Centro as vice mayor. Elected members of the sangguniang bayan were: former Sangguniang Bayan Member Hermogenes P. Asuncion; re-electionist Jaime V. Cadeliña; former Sangguniang Bayan Member Rolando G. Velasco; re-electionist Roman B. Manibog, Jr.; Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr. of San Andres; re-electionist Edwin S. Santos; re-electionist Eugene I. Acosta; and Atty. Randolph Joseph P. Arreola of Nueva Era.

The July 15, 2002 barangay elections catapulted two lady officials, Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo of Sampaloc as Pangulo ng Liga ng mga Barangay and Aizza A. Daquioag of Sampaloc as Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President.

The May 10, 2004 elections resulted in the return of three-time mayor, Dr. Atanasio T. Dayrit, Jr. with long time public servant Hermogenes P. Asuncion as his vice mayor. The sangguniang bayan members were: Dr. Cid A. Dayrit of Centro; re-electionist Rolando G. Velasco; re-electionist Edwin S. Santos; re-electionist Roman B. Manibog, Jr.; re-electionist Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr.; re-electionist Eugene I. Acosta; former Sangguniang Bayan Member Jesse C. Suguitan; and former Sangguniang Bayan Member Rodrigo A. Padron of Del Pilar.

In the May 14, 2007 elections, Mayor Dayrit and partymate Vice Mayor Asuncion were re-elected. The members of the Sangguniang Bayan were: sixth-termer Rolando G. Velasco, re-electionist Cid A. Dayrit, former three-time Sangguniang Bayan Member Jaime V. Cadeliña, former Sangguniang Bayan Member Troy Alexander G. Miano, re-electionist Rodrigo A. Padron, re-electionist Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr., Punong Barangay Marval S. Crisologo of Saranay and three-time Punong Barangay Alfredo Y. Laurado of Namnama.

On August 10, 2007, SK Federation President Daquioag resigned her post and was replaced by the federation’s vice president, Aris A. Calamayan of Del Pilar. In the October 29, 2007 barangay and SK elections, second termer Santiago R. Ganal, Jr. of La Paz and Gregg Benedict I. Navarro of Centro were elected Liga ng mga Barangay President and SK Federation President, respectively.

The national and local elections on May 10, 2010 resulted in the victory of two-time Sangguniang Bayan Member Cid A. Dayrit with runningmate six-time Sangguniang Bayan Member Rolando G. Velasco. The winning Sangguniang Bayan Members are: Charlton L. Uy of Del Pilar, re-electionist Jamie V. Cadeliña, re-electionist Troy Alexander G. Miano, former Liga ng mga Barangay President Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo, former Sangguniang Bayan Member Roman B. Manibog, Jr., Leonardo C. Alivia of Del Pilar, former Sangguniang Bayan Member Eugene I. Acosta, and Punong Barangay Renato J. Monte of Centro.

Liga ng mga Barangay President Ganal was re-elected to his old post while the elected Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President was Benjamin Isabelo R. Dy of Calaocan. Sangguniang Bayan Member Bernardo resigned on December 7, 2010 to accept the appointment as sectoral representative for women at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The vacancy was filled-up with the appointment of three-termer Punong Barangay Ma. Nita D. Silverio-Uy of San Andres.

The TERM of MAYOR UY

In the May 13, 2013 midterm local elections, Senior Sangguniang Bayan Member Charlton L. Uy became the ninth municipal mayor of Cabatuan with coming back Mario I. Acosta as his vice mayor. The Sangguniang Bayan Members elected are: former Vice Mayor Hermogenes P. Asuncion, re-electionist Troy Alexander G. Miano, re-electionist Leonardo C. Alivia, re-electionist Jaime V. Cadeliña, re-electionist Renato J. Monte, Chanda A. Gonzales-Uaje of Centro, former Sangguniang Bayan Member Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr., and former Sangguniang Bayan Member Marval S. Crisologo.

Former Sangguniang Bayan Member, Atty. Randolph Joseph P. Arreola was elected as Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member of the third district of Isabela while sectoral Representative for Women and Ex-Officio Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo was re-appointed in the same position.

On December 11, 2013, Punong Barangay Jimmy V. Go of Magsaysay was elected as Liga ng mga Barangay President. On September 16, 2015, Sangguniang Bayan Member Miano resigned to accept the position of Assistant Provincial Planning & Development Coordinator of Isabela. The vacated post was filled-up with the appointment of Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano of Saranay.

In the May 9, 2016 national and local elections, Mayor Uy and Vice Mayor Acosta were elected on their second terms. The elected Members of the Sangguniang Bayan were: re-electionist Hermogenes P. Asuncion, former Vice Mayor Rolando G. Velasco, re-electionist Bernardo A. Garcia, Jr., appointed Sangguniang Bayan Member Jasmin C. Lapuz-Miano, coming back Sangguniang Bayan Member Roman B. Manibog, Jr., re-electionist Leonardo C. Alivia, Julian A. Dayrit and Randy G. Britanico.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Randolph Joseph P. Arreola was re-elected while sectoral Representative for Women and Ex-Officio Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Vilinda J. Hamor-Bernardo was re-appointed in the same position.