Ronda to pass ‘resolution of condolences’ for its slain vice mayor

The Municipal Council of Ronda, Cebu will convene today and is expected to pass a resolution on the murder of the town’s vice mayor, Jonnah John Blanco Ungab, whom colleagues described as someone who was friendly even with politicians from other parties.

“It is a resolution of condolences,” said Councilor Sharmaine Blanco, Ungab’s cousin. “He is a great loss for our town.”

Ungab was on his third and last term as vice mayor. He had served as councilor for two terms.

Blanco said that the council will discuss in their emergency session their next moves, one of which is to find Ungab’s successor.

She said the council will wait for the order of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 on Ungab’s replacement.

The town’s first councilor, Rocky Gabatan, is set to replace Ungab. Both ran under Liberal Party (LP), while Blanco ran under One Cebu Party.

“Kon ang tawo kontra partido magpili-pili og tabang, but he would help if it’s LP or One Cebu. So regardless of political party, he would really, really help,” said Blanco.

Blanco said Ungab, despite his busy practice as a lawyer, never neglected his duty as the presiding officer of the town council, which holds session every Friday.

Blanco said that she was close with her cousin and they were brought up by their parents as if they were siblings.

“If we had problems, we ap- proached him for advice,” she said, adding that Ungab was kind to both Rondahanons and non-Rondahanons.

“In our session, before we start, daghan kaayo na siyag libreng notaryo, especially for students of CTU (Cebu Technological University)-Moalboal for graduation papers. He would really help even if dili taga Ronda,” said Blanco.