Virac Sangguniang Kabataan Municipal Federation President Fred Benedict T. Gianan won the presidency of the SK provincial federation last week, earning the right to represent the youth in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as an ex-officio member.
The grandson of the late PBM Fredeswindo T. Gianan Sr. and nephew of former PBM Atty. Fredeswindo A. Gianan Sr. clinched the seat unopposed and immediately took his oath of office before Provincial Prosecutor Mary Jane Zantua.
Also elected along with him during the SKPF orientation and election last Nov. 24, 2023 at the SP session hall were Alvin Rodriguez (Bagamanoc), vice president; Rosalyn T. Bernal (San Miguel), secretary; Marc Jay Aguinillo (Viga), treasurer; Laurence Julao (Baras), treasurer; Emman Jorge Gianan (Pandan), public relations officer; and, Roy T. Buendia (Bato), sergeant-at-arms.
Only the post of vice president was contested, with Rodriguez edging San Andres SKMF president Cassandra de Loyola by just one vote, 5 to 4.
According to a source, two youth leaders abstained from voting for VP while one SKMF president voted only for Gianan and did not vote at all in the other positions.
The other SKMF presidents who attended the orientation and election were Mary Ann Bien of Caramoran, John Lawrence Tayam of Gigmoto and Mark John Castro of Panganiban.
The orientation and election was conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) headed by Provincial Director Uldarico Razal Jr. in collaboration with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Board of Election Supervisors, Board of Observers, and the Provincial Training Management Team.
Gianan, who attended his first session as ex-officio PBM last Tuesday, was elected by landslide as SK chairman of Calatagan Proper during the recent 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls.
He is the second son of Tribune publisher and Tri-Star Press proprietor Engr. Fernan A. Gianan and Milagros T. Gianan II, Nurse IV at the Catanduanes State University Medical & Dental Services.