Iron Ladies of Abra (Part 2)

Atty. Mae Richelle Belmes – Chaudhary

A lawyer by profession but a mother of two by heart, Chelet, as she is known to many, is a name synonymous with Abra’s electoral politics. Her career at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), marked by courage and integrity, began in 2010 as the election officer of Abra’s capital town of Bangued. She faced intense challenges from the start, including an incident in 2011 when her vehicle was riddled with bullets while parked at her residence in La Paz, Abra.

In 2012, at just 29, she became the country’s youngest Provincial Election Supervisor. She successfully navigated the volatile politics of Abra to ensure the 2013 elections were the most peaceful in the region’s history. From the moment she took office, she was committed to ensuring that all election offices were fully staffed, functional, and responsive to their communities’ needs. “I chose to be a lawyer because I don’t want anyone dictating to me,” she remarked in an interview. A stickler for the rules, she frequently cited policies and statutes in casual conversations, which, she admits, irked some of her COMELEC colleagues who were accustomed to bending rules for self-interest—a practice she consistently challenged, often placing her at odds with some of her fellow COMELEC officials.

One notable incident occurred in October 2012 when the wife of a mayoral candidate allegedly threatened her after she thwarted their attempt to bring in “flying voters” from the nearby town of Bucay to skew the 2013 election results in their favor.

Her commitment to fair elections has made her a frequent target for threats against her life. She recounted an incident where a town mayor ominously warned one of her relatives that she could become the next “target” following the 2014 assassination of a local journalist and lawyer Jack Turqueza.

In the 2016 elections, Abra was placed under COMELEC control due to a shootout inside a polling precinct in Lagayan, Abra. This violence occurred despite ongoing public engagement, a peace covenant signed among candidates the previous December, and continuous collaboration with the PNP and military to combat unlicensed guns, private armed groups, and vote-buying. In 2019, before her reassignment, she vigorously defended a proposal to allow police officers to serve as election inspectors in a town where teachers had already refused the role due to safety concerns. The proposal succeeded, leading to a smooth and fair election in that town.

In the 2022 barangay elections, a shooting incident near a polling precinct in Lapat-Balantay village in Tineg, Abra, disrupted the voting process and terrified the teachers, who then refused to continue. To prevent disenfranchisement, she swiftly flew to the location with three police officers in a Black Hawk military chopper, replacing the teachers. She also ordered an extension of voting hours to allow frightened voters time to return and cast their ballots. Throughout her work, Atty. Belmes remains calm and composed in the face of crises, always focused on what needs to be done.

Atty. Belmes is currently grappling with a significant challenge as she has filed administrative complaints against two of her election officers before the Civil Service Commission. The complaints allege grave misconduct, partisan political activities, disgraceful and immoral conduct, and actions detrimental to the service, which Atty. Belmes frames as a “fight for the dignity of COMELEC and the Abrenian electorate.” The accusations was based in reported alleged illicit affairs, leaking of confidential information to unauthorized individuals, and partisan favors for certain ruling clans, and among other acts and conducts Atty. Belmes believes were a “great disservice to the people.” Being at odds with these officers are by extension being at odds with the ruling clans they favor, claimed by Atty. Belmes, resulting to her frequent reassignment in previous election seasons aiming to “discredit her career,” she added. Notably, one of the accused has already been linked to a harassment case filed by her sister, La Paz election officer Chadela Belmes-Tuazon, who was reportedly harassed by the town mayor during Holy Week, according to a Daily Tribune report.

Despite being cast as a villain by some, she remains unwavering in her mission to uphold democracy, emphasizing the importance of impartiality in the exercise of COMELEC’s duties.

Atty. Belmes is also highly regarded by youth for her dedication to encouraging young people to be proactive and vocal on sociopolitical issues, particularly in making informed and educated voting decisions. From 2011 to 2015, she taught law at the Law School of Abra Valley Colleges, focusing on election law, administrative law, and political law. Currently, she lectures on human rights education to criminology students at the same college.

While she treasures her role as a devoted mother to her two children, she views her commitment to Abra as her most challenging yet rewarding endeavor, and she continues to fight for its betterment with unwavering courage. She is currently assigned to COMELEC Apayao, where she remains a steadfast beacon of courage and integrity among election officials during this crucial period for our democracy.

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Ma’am Pura Sumangil, Ma’am Mely Bersalona, and Atty. Chelet Belmes– three names, three women who have dedicated most of their lives, sacrificing their time and devoting their strength and minds to their thankless jobs and service to the people of Abra. True to the words of our provincial march: “our hands, our minds, and our hearts, to you willingly we dedicate.”

They are iron ladies precisely because, despite adversity, risks, danger, and high expectations, they remain focused on their important work. They are firm in their principles, non-negotiable in their standards, yet compassionate and kind to their constituencies.

As a young boy growing up in Abra searching for leadership inspiration, I found three great women to look up to. They are not perfect, but they are competent. Their voices may be mild and gentle, but their actions are firm and shake institutions. Their hearts are indomitable because they know they are in the right place. No amount of danger or risk can compromise them, nor can any amount of persuasion change their hearts, especially when peace, justice, and dignity are at stake.

They do it without expectation of recognition. It is a thankless effort, but they will not go unseen or unheard, even if many Abreños are unaware of the silent things they have done for us—because, at the most critical times in our province’s history, they were unfazed, fearless, and determined to serve.

I offer my snappiest salute to you, ma’am! I am proud to be an Abreño, and it remains a hopeful place because of you!