LEGAZPI CITY - For the first time in eight years, the Albay Electric Cooperative Inc. (Aleco) has elected a new board of directors representing its nine districts last May 6 and 7.

        Proclaimed winners by representatives of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) were: Banjamin Consuelo for district of 1 (Tiwi, Malinao); Rene Tronqued, dist. 2 (Tabaco City); Atty. Rodolfo Bonafe Jr., dist. 3 (Bacacay, Malilipot, Sto. Domingo); Amelia Sayson, CPA, dist. 4 (Legazpi Port, Rapu-rapu); Atty. Mariano Baranda Jr., dist. 5 (Albay District, Manito);

        Angel T. Jaucian Jr., dist. 6 (Daraga Camalig); Engr. Laureano Flores, dist. 7 (Guinobatan, Jovellar Pioduran); Dr. Hilario Mateum, dist. 8 (Ligao City, Oas) and Valentino Sapo, dist. 9 (Polngui, Libon).

        Sayson and Mateum ran unopposed in the Aleco district election.

        Although it was supposed to be a non-political district election, the Aleco polls were marred by alleged vote-guying instigated by well-known politicians including a third district political kingpin. Not to be outdone, leaders of the local Catholic Church threw their support to their favorite candidates.

        On May 5, Judge Pedro Soriao of RTC Branch 5 denied the motion for execution filed by Atty. Oliver Olaybal, president and board chairman of the deactivated Aleco board on the permanent injunction previously granted by the judge against the holding of the Aleco pols.

        Olaybal in a radio interview Saturday allegedly threatened to elevate his case before the Court of Appeals in a move to nullify the Aleco election.

        Jose Misael Moraleda, acting Aleco project supervisor, refused to comment on the legal issue.

        Asked if he was aware of the alleged vote-buying, Moraleda said that any losing candidate or any member of Aleco can file an election protest before the district election committee concerned after paying P50,000 as filling fee. If the protestant loses but wants to elevate his case to the NEA board, he has to pay P100,000. He explained that the period for filling the electotoral protest should be within three days after the election.

        Before their oath-taking on July 1, 2006, the nine directors will be required to attend a seminar on cooperative management course and a corporate good governance course.

        Upon assumption into office, the directors will elect from among themselves who will be their president and board chairman, secretary and treasurer.

        Moraleda said that the directors of districts 1,4, and 6 will serve for one year; districts 2,5, and 8 for two years; and districts 3, 5 and 9 for three years. Thus every year thereafter there will be an election for the Aleco board.