Abra exec seeks Comelec control due to rising poll violence
BAGUIO CITY—Suspended Abra Vice Gov. Maria Jocelyn “Joy” Bernos has formally appealed to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to place the province under its control ahead of the May 12 midterm elections, citing a surge in politically motivated violence.
In a statement sent to media on Sunday night, Bernos—who also chairs the local political group Asenso Abreño—said that multiple candidates and supporters have been killed since 2024, shortly after declaring their bids for office.
“In light of the increasing hostilities we face, we reiterate our appeal for the declaration of Abra province under the control of [Comelec]. The integrity of our electoral process is the cornerstone of our democracy. Every Abreño should be able to exercise his or her right to vote freely and fairly,” she said.
Her appeal was transmitted directly to Comelec Chair George Garcia, said lawyer Julius Torres, Comelec director in the Cordillera, in a Monday interview.
Torres said Comelec national office would decide if it would heed the vice governor’s request, adding that he had instructed the provincial Joint Security Control Center (JSCC) of Abra to “continuously monitor the situation there and be ready to issue its recommendation if Comelec control would be necessary.”
According to the JSCC’s April 4 briefing, 23 shooting incidents were reported across the Cordillera from Jan. 12 to March 31, with 17 of them occurring in Abra. With more recent incidents included, the death toll from election-related violence has reached 11 in Abra.
Task force
In response, Comelec has reactivated Task Force Abra, a joint police and military security force initially formed in 2005 to address political violence linked to private armed groups affiliated with local political clans.
Abra has long been known for political violence, especially during election periods. Bernos herself is the widow of slain La Paz Mayor Ysrael Bernos, who was assassinated in 2006.
She faces stiff opposition from her own family. Her brother-in-law, Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos, leads the rival Team Progreso party and is fielding former Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin for the top provincial post. Bersamin, who was Abra governor from 2007 to 2016, is the brother of slain Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr. and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Eustaquio is running for governor against the vice governor’s son, Joaquin Bernos, the current vice mayor of Bangued. Meanwhile, Joy Bernos is seeking reelection as vice governor against Eustaquio’s niece, Anne Bersamin. JB Bernos is also running for Congress, facing Bangued Mayor Mila Valera.
According to Joy Bernos, attacks against Asenso Abreño members began on Aug. 20, 2024, in Bucay town.
Since then, there have been 21 gun attacks, including the abduction and killing of two victims and police intimidation of her father, Gov. Dominic Valera, on Sept. 12, she said.
The vice governor is currently serving an 18-month suspension ordered by the Office of the Executive Secretary in late 2024 for abuse of authority involving the lockdown of a local hospital during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Valera was also suspended for 60 days for allegedly bypassing protocol in appointing a Provincial Board Member replacement.
Abra has 188,957 registered voters in 27 municipalities. The towns of Bangued, Bucay, and Pilar are under orange category watch for intense political rivalry; while Lagayan, Pidigan, Tayum, Tineg, Dolores and Lagangilang are tagged as yellow zones due to their history of election violence.
