Mirasol wins
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The rains did not stop Binalbagan town residents from turning out to give their mayor Alejandro Mirasol, an overwhelming lead that clinched his victory as congressman of the fifth district of Negros Occidental Saturday.

Provincial Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez proclaimed Mirasol congressman of the 5th district at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City at 6:45 a.m. yesterday in the presence of his family, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. and top COMELEC officials led by its chairman, Sixto Brillantes.

Mirasol was supported by the United Negros Alliance and the Nationalist People's Alliance both led by Marañon and the Liberal Party in Negros headed by Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District).

Board Member Emilio “Dino” Yulo III yesterday congratulated his opponent and uncle, Alejandro Mirasol, on winning the race for congressman of the fifth district Saturday.

"I congratulate the winner, the people have spoken. I respect the decision of the people,” he said.

Although his camp was beaten logistically, Yulo said “At least we managed to give the people a free choice, that is the essence of democracy.”

HINIGARAN – Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes Saturday lauded the exemplary performance of the Philippine Army and local PNP members for making the June 2 special election in the 5th District of Negros Occidental “peaceful and orderly”.

“We want to make of this an example of what we can use later,” said Brillantes, who was apparently referring to strategies employed by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, that led to zero election-related incidents during the 45-day election period.

The NOPPO and 303rd Infantry Brigade formed the Joint Task Force Central, headed by Supt. Leo Irwin Agpangan and Lt. Col. Wilfredo Isaac, respectively, to ensure a peaceful and orderly election.