Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña yesterday said he will not bar residents from voting in Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla, on Saturday but they have to get his permission to enter his grandmother’s property.

The mayor, who is supporting the bid of Board Member Emilio “Dino Yulo” III for congressman of the fifth district, said they were checking people entering the property because of reports of the presence of Revolutionary Proletarian Army members in the area.

Yulo, of the Nacionalista Party, and his uncle Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro “Bebot” Mirasol of the Liberal Party, are running for the fifth congressional seat of Negros Occidental left vacant by the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. in January.

Those registered in the polling area in Inolingan will be allowed to vote because that is their right and duty but they have to see me as soon as possible to get permission to enter our property, Peña said.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, Negros Occidental police director, said the area where the reported roadblock was set up in Inolingan is private property, and only selected people can pass.

However, he assured that the police will ensure the people’s right to vote will not be hampered.

The army and police are deploying troops in the fifth district of Negros Occidental to ensure credible and honest elections, he said.

Guisihan also assured the public that anyone who violates the law will be dealt with.

Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. said it is the task of the Commission on Elections to file charge against those who commit election offenses.

Scare tactics during elections are a thing of the past, he said.

He called on all parties to keep the election on Saturday clean, transparent credible and peaceful; for the winner to be humble and magnanimous, and for the loser to accept defeat.

SUPPORT

Former Board Member Enrique “Quito” Montilla said he and his family are supporting Yulo’s congressional bid. “We believe he is more qualified for the job and has a good heart,” Montilla said.

Businesswoman Grace Ibuna, long time partner of the late Rep. Arroyo, said she in coming to Negros on Saturday to vote for Mirasol and is urging residents of the fifth district to also vote for him.

Ibuna is a registered voter of La Castellana.

She is voting for Mirasol because he is a man of integrity, who keeps his word, and works hard for his constituents, Ibuna said.

Mirasol is an honest leader who has a vision for the 5th district, she said, citing the progress and development he has brought to Binalbagan town.

Provincial Elections Supervisor Jessie Suarez said the election on Saturday will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The votes will be manually counted at the precincts, after which the results from that level will be tallied by the town and city board of canvassers in the fifth district.

The results from Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana and Moises Padilla will then be brought to the Capitol in Bacolod City to be tallied by the Provincial Board of Canvassers, he said.

Suarez expects to proclaim a winner by Sunday morning.*CPG

back to top