First of all, I would like to apologize to all our readers for not updating the site during the election period. I did gave a blow-by-blow update on our FaceBook Page during election day.
After the elections I had to tend some important personal matters preventing me from giving you my perspective of the Elections.
Anyway, as they always say, better late than never. So here goes.
The biggest news (I’m sure most of you already know) of course is that, after 3 consecutive winning terms, the Bersamins suffered their first crushing defeat. The big three, Takit, Ruby and Chari all lost their bid against their arch rivals – the Valera-Bernos (Joy, Dominic, JB) Their only consolation is Anne Bersamin and Jorobots Bersamin some how survived the onslaught.
The contest between these two warring clans was nasty as both camps resorted to mudslinging and reported vote-buying.
Other positions such as Vice Governor, Sangunian Panlalawigan, Sangunian Bayan also dominated by candidates identifies to the Valera-Bernos camp.
In Pidigan, another Valera won. Domino Valera beat his estrange wife Janssen Buemio by less than 200 votes. Reports coming to us was that, both camps tried to outbid each other. People of Pidigan went “laughing all the way to the bank”.
Lagayan remain to be notorious. The town grab national headlines as one was killed during the elections and a massive manhunt my the SAF resulted to an arrest. Still Jedricks Luna prevailed over Jodel Crisologo.
In Tayum, the question about the Son-Father Tandem of the Eduartes was answered. Tayumens overwhelmingly voted them in.
San Juan was also a hotspot. Rivalry between Bernos and Bautsita spilled into this municipality. In the end, it was a no contest as Bautista’s brother prevailed over Bernos’ brother-in-law.
General Antonio Viernes who ran for Governor, tried his best to run his campaign based on idealism to no avail. In his concession speach, he opined that Abra is not ready for transformation at this time. His last words is “He Shall Return”.
The Congressional Contest
This is my first time in many years that I was at the belly of the beast. Not only was I a witness, I was part of the campaign. My brother Dr. Joselito Bringas ran for Congress.
He ran against two sitting Mayors JB Bernos and Marco Bautista and former Congresswoman Cecy Luna.
Doc Lito ran a very honest and clean campaign. His campaign team (composed mostly idealistic youth, his family and close friends) played by the rules. But this was no match to Bernos and Bautista. He was outspent, outgunned and outnumbered.
The People of Abra should thank Doc Lito. Why? Because his candidacy triggered a spending spree from his opponents and the Abrenian benefited from it.
Former Congresswoman, Cecy Luna tried to revive her lost luster. Evidently, she doesn’t have the political machinery she used to have. She did played by the rules, which is commendable. During her sorties, she insisted that she was cheated during the 2010 elections – referring to the results in Danglas and La Paz where she didn’t get any vote.
From the start Bernos acted as the instigator. He made sure his other opponents were not welcome in his home turf of La Paz and Danglas. He had reportedly ordered the removing of his opponents tarps around Abra.
The irony of it all, everyone allowed him to roam around Bangued without anyone bothering him.
Bautista, however, tried to match the dip pocket and political machinery of Bernos to no avail.
New and some old ways of cheating
With the shift to electronic voting and counting, it was more difficult to alter the outcome of the elections. Sure there were reported glitches of the VCM during testing. Some VCM actually failed but in general it was more improved that the old ways of manual counting.
But this didn’t prevent some politicians from scheming to win elections:
1. Most politicians resorted to vote-buying and openly at that. Voters either reluctantly or willingly received money. Few days before the elections up to the early hours of May 9, we’ve witness how last minute vote-buying (“bukwal” in Ilokano term) unfolded and unabated.
2. Intimidation of voters. During the election day, voters who are known supporters of other candidates were prevented from leaving their homes. Thus unable to cast their votes.
3. Paying-off BEI to shade unused ballots (for those who didn’t vote) in favor of their bets.
These acts of course are difficult to prosecute because witnesses refuse to testify for fear of their own safety.
What’s next?
Already there are reports that Governor- Elect Joy Bernos is starting to throw her weight at the Provincial Capitol even though her official start is after June 30, 2016. Gov. Takit in response, sought the help of the military to guard the capitol.
After June 30th, there will be an exodus of Bersamin Supporters from every agency under the Provincial Government. In turn, Valera-Bernos’ supporters will move in. “Sinubblat ti isem” so they say.
Clearly the Valeras and the Bernoses are now the new political power in Abra, at least for the next 3 years.
As for the Bersamins? Maybe they are not done yet…it’s politics, anything can happen.
Lastly, was this a peaceful elections? Yes, According to many observers. Personally I agree to some extent, comparing it to the past elections.
But was it honest and clean? Definitely not…
Nevertheless, let’s move on and hope that all elected officials will be true to their promises to serve the people and our Province.
note: will be soon publish all the winners once the Official results from the COMELEC is available.
abrenian.com 
Eric, your analysis of the past election in Abra is commendable. Impartial it is even though your own brother loss his congressional bid. My hats off to you Sir.
Posted by Jerry | May 16, 2016, 11:16 pmI dont think sysop vote his own brother due to the fact that they are his in laws.People should watch how Eric be benefited on this election..
Posted by Magellan | May 17, 2016, 12:33 amTHE TRUTH CAN NOT BE COVERED ISN’T IT SYSOP OR ELSE IT GONNA BE WORSE ..YOUR LEFT HAND LOSS AND YOUR RIGHT HAND WIN
Posted by MARABOTITI | May 17, 2016, 7:13 amSo, gawiden garuden ni Taks ken Misisna diay Merka . . . Ay ket naabak man ni Joey garuden a. Gawid garud met suna Merkan. Ala ket diputado ni JB Bernos garuden. . . Ay, Apo, nian nagbabalinan ti Abra!
Posted by wekwek | May 17, 2016, 10:32 amAng totoo ay babalik na naman ang gulo at nakakahiyang Imahen ng Abra dahil sa pera mga less qualified at angkan ng baliktad ng kaluluwa ang mamumuno ng Provincia. Ang tanging pag-asa na lang ay si pres Duterte sa pamamagitan nang panibagong pamumuno ng mga sundalo at policia.
Posted by CAPITAN | May 17, 2016, 11:36 amkopitan accept defeat n respect the will of the electorates although i got even with takito but i have also my reservation to the elected leaders. i have been telling that 4 ps n non taxpayers are the threat of takito nevertheless im happy that takitos were demilished for msking my life miserable.
Posted by eric shawn | May 17, 2016, 4:54 pm3 tawen a sagaba tatta ti Abra iti ima daguiti makunkuna nga mangiturturong. La tapno makita sapay kuma ta ad-adda a tay agserbi ti kuen da saan a tay paserbian. Ngem kas tay kunadan takkiak toy sapin ko sako sepsepan no maaramida dayta.
Posted by Balikas | May 17, 2016, 4:30 pmAglalo met a ngarud ti Tayum!!!! Awan latta ita ta isu da payen nga agama ti mangiggem iti ILI nga Tayumen.. Nakarkaro manen ti “CORRUPTION”, mark my work??!!!!!???!!!. Dayta a kadakkel ti gastos na nga 3K kada botante…sigurado subbuten da nga agama..aglalo ket adda pay “WHITE LADY” kano a suportado ti ama..nakarkaro manen ngaruden.. Ania ngarud isu ti kayat ti kaadduan a taga Tayum.. A kas kuna ni Mayor Eduarte nga KUARTA LAENG TI KATAPAT TI UMILI TI TAYUM.. Ket agpayso ta kuna na a kas Makita iti butos da a naglayos gapu iti 3K nga inawat ti botatante iti TAYUM..hehehehehe
Posted by kailian ti abra | May 23, 2016, 10:12 pmsino ngata ti mayat nga agsebba into no 2020 election..sinno???? dinto pay kina ba ellan ni Takito ? agpakpakatawa kaysan ..apay diyo ammo ni agsumar wenno anya?? agpating ga kayla ti kastoyen nga kinatarabitab sinno ita ti binanag toy manok yo nga pagpanpan nakkel yo nga Takit??ayan na ??pagtitim oggen kayto payla amin litsogas??
Posted by FLABIANO | May 18, 2016, 3:53 amSika ti agdadata nga tarabitab ken saan na ammo ti agsumarFLABIANA. Addaya elections no 2020? Agdikar sa met ta kabaw mon. No kuna ni Gen Viernes nga ‘ I shall return!’ Ti kinakabawmon saan mo amo t ” I shall return ” ni McArthur wenno saan mo pay Ammon ti kaipapanan na daytan.
Abra, anusam t 3 tawen manen nga agsagaba. Gapu t sileng ti kuarta agibtur ka ah !
Posted by CONTRALASTOG | May 18, 2016, 6:07 pmDnt u worry mga crying babies bec of defeat digong will be watching them tru sakuting. Who will be the first victim of kamay na bakal in abra guess who?
Posted by eric shawn | May 21, 2016, 11:55 pmapay koma nga agsagaba kami sikayo a ti agsagaba ta lastog kayo met paris yo ni boss yo nga takit…….maisurot na kay ngarud jay merika ?pulos a
Posted by pallatibong | June 1, 2016, 8:04 pmUMAY KA MAN TOY DZPA TA AGIN NISEM TA MUTTALENG NGA CONTRALASTOG ANYA TI KAYAT MO BIBINGKA WENNO PATUPAT HAHAHA
Posted by FLABIANO | May 18, 2016, 7:39 pmNo baak nga basi ken one set ti isaganam mabalin nga umayak. Ngem no di Ammon t one set gapu kinakabaw mo narigat t umasigen baka agririta ket map is-itko ta tiltilayon mo makabasulak ken bakit mon.
Wen gayam sayang t gundaway t Abra pannakaabak ni Dr Litong. Better luck next time after Duterte shows the discipline needed for the country.
Posted by CONTRALASTOG | May 20, 2016, 10:53 amLasting accept defeat and try to conduct post election assessment why takkito lost. Sometimes we need to be defeated for us to realize what we had done to our fellow abrenians.
Posted by Eric shawn | May 20, 2016, 7:09 pmTHE LINE UP THAT SUPPOSEDLY FOR THE BERSAMIN FOR A WIN WIN IS LIKE THIS
TAKIT FOR CONGRESSMAN
CHARI FOR GOVERNOR
ANN FOR MAYOR OF BANGUED
IT SHOULD BE A PERFECT COMBINATION ISN’T IT????BIGGEST MISTAKE IS MAMA RUBY LOOKS LIKE BANGUED AGAINST PENARUBIA .OR CONTRALASTOG AGAINT FLABIANO HAHAHA
Posted by FLABIANO | May 20, 2016, 9:12 pmI agree 100 percent. It could have been a formidable line up. But the ambition of Ruby derailed everything.
Posted by Victorino | May 21, 2016, 1:04 amThey have been warned by kabataan survey in the beginning and they had a sufficient time to re asses and evaluate their capability and change their line-up until December last year,but it seems that the Bersamin has been BEWITCH by my goodness ambition of mama Ruby Queen of Penafrancia,pointing an evaluation on their line up has a big loop hole or a mis match on the Governor line up that made the survey true and correct like in a chess board strategy and positioning on the board creates advantage .
Posted by MARABOTITI | May 21, 2016, 1:57 amNagado ket nga sarsaritsiten aya, at the end of the day, MONEY TALKS. KAPICE.
Posted by MARABOTOKI | May 21, 2016, 3:46 amBukwal in Bangued and lapped in La Paz and Danglas ti nangpangabak. Risiris in other towns if you analyze votes. Lesson: Serkem La Paz and Danglas, mantoman Bangued.
Posted by Ringgit | October 17, 2016, 8:44 pmAbra’s new theme song, SPAGHETTING PATAAS. Lahat ay tataas panty na lang ang pababa.
Posted by MARABOTOKI | May 21, 2016, 4:09 amTama, bagay sana yong galing ni boss ng kanyang American English sa congress. Ang malaking konsuela na lang niya at malaking papasalamat natin ay maraming nagawa sa magaganda sa 9 na taong. Sayang lang dahil sa pera nabulag ang taga Abra na magdudulot na naman ng gulo, takot, hirap, at pangamba.
Posted by KAPITAN | May 21, 2016, 6:46 amKopitan lets move on! Lossing in election is good for takito for him to realize what he had done to my group n my institution engrata na naging msyabang pa. Imsgine when hecwas unopposed besaklat daw nevertheless we accept his arrogance bec we dnt want the bernosses to rule abra . We were not able to help him bec our hands tied n vengeance is in our minds so takito go back in america n earned dollars pa more for ur next derby in 2019. Goodluck!
Posted by eric shawn | May 22, 2016, 6:53 pmlet it be abrenians had spoken that they want a government you had mentioned.
Posted by eric shawn | June 5, 2016, 6:33 amGUNGUNA U NGA TGA ABRA IMBOTOS TI AGPAPATAY KEN MANGKIKIBRONG KADA BOBO, ISU DAYTA TI APITEN U MET LAENG,,,KARUPRUPA KAU TI KUARTA …ANUSAN U A TI AGRIGAT KEN AGBUTBUTENG…
Posted by jen luna | June 14, 2016, 1:05 amMy byahe po ba from manila ti abra?
Posted by Nylene barrriga | November 2, 2020, 3:36 pm