LEGAZPI CITY -– Joephil Bien, municipal Liga chairman of Mililipot town, has been elected president of the Provincial Liga ng mga Barangay of Albay.

        Bien garnered 8 votes while his rival, Jorem Arcangel, son of Mayor Jose ‘Boy’ Arcangel of Jovellar, got only three votes during closed-door elections held last Dec. 29 at La Roca Restaurant here.

        According to Rodolfo Benosa, provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), only 11 city and municipal Liga chairmen were able to vote because seven were disqualified for failure to pay annual dues and failure to produce their oaths of office.

        Lito Ret of Polangui was elected vice president of the Liga provincial federation. Benjamin Bron of Tabaco City was appointed secretary. Ma. Lorna Cristobal of Legazpi City was pointed treasurer, and Cherry Mayor of Daraga was named auditor.

        The appointees were chosen from the Board of Directors of the Liga ng mga Barangay which is composed of: Roger Baloloy of Sto. Domingo; Ma. Lorna Cristobal of Legazpi City; Jose Padilla of Guinobatan; Antonio Yuchungco of Oas; Calixto Dacullo of Tiwi; and Benjamin Bron of Tabaco City.

        In an interview with newsmen, Joephil Bien, 52, thanked his supporters for electing him president of the Liga Provincial Chapter.

        He also thanked his contender for being a good sport.

        Asked what he would do as sectoral representative in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Bien said his priority is to look after the welfare of the barangays and to support the program of government of Gov. Joey Sarte Salceda, particularly in the field of education and environment.