‘DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH’: Tajanlangit wins PCL-Antique race

By: Manuel Mejorada

IT WAS billed as a “David versus Goliath” encounter.

Yesterday, incumbent Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Antique chapter president Julius Cezar Tajanlangit upset his heavily favored rival in his re-election bid, obtaining 117 votes out of the 177 cast in the capital town of San Jose, Antique.

“David”, just as what happened in Biblical times, slew “Goliath”.

Tajanlangit’s opponent, Tobias-Fornier municipal councilor Orchid Fornier, got only 60 votes.

“I thank God for this miracle,” Tajanlangit told Daily Guardian. “My fellow SB members followed the dictates of their conscience and ignored the tremendous political pressure for them to support my rival.”

Tajanlangit thanked his fellow municipal councilors for “their resounding mandate” and vowed to pursue innovative programs to benefit the PCL’s members in Antique.

As PCL president, Tajanlangit will sit as ex-oficio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique for the second time.

The PCL has a total membership of 180 councilors in Antique province.

Tajanlangit said he never wavered in his conviction that his fellow municipal councilors would uphold principle over political loyalties.

Fornier was supported by Antique lone district Congresswoman Loren Legarda, Governor Rhodora Cadiao and former Governor Sally Zaldivar-Perez.

Atty. Cezar Tajanlangit, father of Julius, said the SB members were summoned to a meeting by Cadiao last Monday. Cadiao promised to give each of them 10 slots for the “cash for work” program of the Department of Labor and Employment and 10 scholars for college under the Commission on Higher Education.

“It was one steep uphill climb,” Atty. Tajanlangit said. “But our prayers were answered,” he added.