Youth groups that expressed support for the two congressional candidates of the fifth district of Negros Occidental called for honesty in government and an end to money politics yesterday.

Board Member Emilio Yulo III got support from young people, many of whom were beneficiaries of his scholarship program, while Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol got the endorsement of six youth groups in the fifth district.

The youth supporters of Yulo III denounced money politics as a tool to win the June 2 special elections in their area.

The group, many of whom were recipients of Yulo’s scholarship program, said in a joint manifesto they are calling for an honest, free and democratic special election.

They stressed the need to follow President Benigno Aquino’s call to get rid of the “wang-wang” mentality, on the use of power, influence and money to “buy” an office in government.

Those in power should avoid using government resources, which belong to the people, in order to boost the candidate of their choice, they said.

The youth supporters of Yulo also called on residents of the fifth district to be vigilant, uphold the power to vote freely, and denounced the use of money in order to win.

They said they will stand by their commitment to send Yulo to congress, whom they described a true representative of the people. They said Yulo has no masters and has a mind of his own.

Among the youth representatives who met with the media yesterday morning were Rizalyn Pedro of La Castellana, Maria Rina Gaugano of Isabela, Gerlyn Andres of Moises Padilla and Edgrado Lachica of Isabela, who said they received government scholarships through Yulo.

Meanwhile, about 200 members of six youth organizations in the fifth district yesterday afternoon gathered at the house of Hinigaran Association of Barangay Captains president Oscar Yulo to express their support for Mirasol.

The Mirasol youth supporters said in a joint statement that they believe the fifth district has the potential for progress if its leaders are honest and free of any tint of corruption.

They cited Mirasol’s tested track record in bringing real progress to Binalbagan, and of ensuring that the resources of government are properly spent on projects to benefit the people.

Mirasol has the support of President Benigno Aquino because he is not corrupt, and walks the straight path, they said.

They said they are endorsing Mirasol because they believe he is the one with a real education program for the people of the fifth district, and is a public official with integrity as espoused by the Liberal Party, who will ensure that programs of government will truly reach the people.*CPG

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