Cortes Councilor Joanna Cabalit-Initay upset the favored candidate to win election as president of the Philippine Councilors League-Bohol chapter, citing her independence and trustworthiness as major factors in her victory.
Initay defeated San Isidro Councilor Gloria Gementiza by 17 votes in Friday’s election, despite Gementiza having the endorsement of Gov. ArisAumentado.
“The councilors trust me because I exposed myself as nonpartisan and will not kowtow to anybody,” Initay said.
She campaigned on a platform of independence in running PCL affairs.
Gementiza, who previously served as PCL president in 2016 and 2022, was widely expected to win.
She stepped down in 2024 under a term-sharing agreement with now-Vice Gov. NicanorBesas.
Aumentado said he was surprised by the outcome after calling a meeting before the election where Gementiza’s victory “seemed in the bag.”
The governor had convinced other members of his Abante Bohol coalition to withdraw from the race, including TagbilaranCouncilorLeonidesBorja.
The PCL presidency carries a political weight as it includes a seat on the provincial board, the SangguniangPanlalawigan.
It remains unclear whether Initay will align with the board’s majority or join the minority faction led by Board Member BenjieArcamo.
Initay said some councilors “want change” and that her leadership “will amount to nothing without the support of my fellow councilors who gave me the mandate to lead the organization until 2028.”
She responded to Gementiza’s social media post about “traitors” by saying people have the right to change their minds and become “independently minded.”
Interim PCL President KienGarsuta of Albur stepped down Tuesday to make way for Initay.
Garsuta had filled the vacancy left by Besas and served for several months.
Initay attended Tuesday’s provincial board session as an observer.