ARTURO “Art” M. MILAN, retired head of Davao Light and Power Co., Inc., and now adviser for Mindanao of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., was elected new president of the multi-awarded Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) in an unprecedented suspenseful election, Saturday, that was resolved after three ballotings.
On the other hand, Antonio “Tony” T. dela Cruz was reelected chairman of the DCCCII board of trustees (BOT).
Close fights
Both Milan and dela Cruz won their posts by the skin of your teeth, so to speak, that is, by just one vote over their respective rivals. Dela Cruz was reelected chairman over Ronald C. Go, incumbent chamber president, 8-7, while Milan nosed out Bonifacio T. Tan, twice a past president, also 8-7.
The winning candidate for president was proclaimed by past president Robert “Boyet” Quinto, chairman of this year’s chamber election committee, after three ballotings among the 15 members of the BOT.
In the first balloting, Milan and Tan got six votes each, while three votes went to Roni Go,
who earlier politely declined the nomination but was denied by the body because the declining was done after the nomination had been officially closed.
In the second balloting, Milan and Tan got seven votes each, as one ballot was invalidated because it still carried the named of Go despite his not being a candidate anymore. The counting of the 15 votes in the third balloting seesawed between Milan and Tan up to the 14th ballot. When the 15th ballot was read it was for Milan.
Other officers elected and later proclaimed by election committee chairman Quinto were Yvonne F. Cabada, executive vice president; Teresita “Tessie” M. Pascual , vice president for agribusiness; Belinda “Belle” L. Torres, VP for industry; John Carlo B. Tria, VP for professional services and ventures; Anastacio “Jun” D. Cubos Jr., VP for trade and commerce; Jennifer V. Sazon, corporate secretary; and Al D. Balagot, corporate treasurer. Members of the board of trustees (BOT) are Go, Tan, Jocelyn A. Romero, Juanito Ricky M. Tagabucba and Antonio M. Ajero.
DCCCII election system
As stipulated by the DCCCII constitution and bylaws, chamber members are called upon to hold an election every December to replace five of the 15 members of the board of trustees whose term of office expires at the end of the year.
This set of five newly elected trustees, who are to serve for three years, will then join the 10 trustees whose term has not yet expired and thereupon elect the officers — chairman, president and others– to serve during the next chamber year which commences in January.
In the history of the chamber which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, it is not unusual that comebacking past presidents would fail to muster the number of votes to get a slot in the five vacancies in the BOT. In last Saturday’s election, this happened to three past presidents.
New blood
In last Saturday’s election for trustees, one re-electionist and four first-timers made it to the five vacant slots. The first-timers are: Jun Cubos, retired Davao Light executive and now renewable energy company owner, who topped the election; Al Balagot, a certified public accountant; John Tria, an entrepreneur and business columnist of Manila Bulletin, Edge Davao and editor of an online magazine; and Marilou Ampuan, a travel and tour operator, officer of an Islamic Business Council and advocate of “halal” system, while the second-timer is Belle Torres, owner of a BPO company and school.
Significantly, last Saturday’s elections were heavily participated in by past presidents either as candidates or as voters.
Quinto was chairman of the election committee who also voted for his company and in his behalf as past president.
The other past presidents were dela Cruz, Tan, Sofronio M. Jucutan, Daniel Lim, John Y. Gaisano Jr., Joji Ilagan-Bian, Jose B. Custodio, and Sebastian L. Angliongto. The 10th president was incumbent Roni Go.
Past presidents Protacio “Cocoy” Tacandong’s accounting firm was represented by his associate Cedric Caterio, while the two companies of past president Dr. Ma. Lourdes G. Monteverde were represented by her son.
