Just follow rules: poll body reminds citizens

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu City South District reminded the opposing sides in the proposed Guadalupe split to follow the election law, as the 15-day campaign period for the plebiscite starts today.

City election officer for the south district Edwin Cadungog said campaigners on both sides should only place their campaign posters in the designated common poster areas, such as markets, barangay hall, and other places identified by them.

Cadungog said posters to be placed in private properties or houses in the barangay should have the consent of the owners.

He clarified that campaign posters shouldn’t exceed 2”x3”, while the leaflets must only have a maximum size of a long bond paper.

The city election officer said the streamers should only be used during a “pulong-pulong” and in the meeting de avance or the last night of campaigning.

“It’s just the same things we observe in a regular election as provided in the Republic Act 9003 or the Fair Election Act,” Cadungog said.

He also advised both sides to just focus on the issues, the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed separation of Guadalupe, and avoid personal interests and attacks during the campaign period.

Mass

The United Banawa-Englis Association Inc. (UBEA), the Yes proponent, will start their campaign with a Holy Mass at the Alliance of Two Hearts in Banawa this morning.

Jessie Sala, UBEA vice president, disclosed a motorcade will follow from the church to the different sitios in the barangay.

He added they will conduct house-to-house campaign everyday and “pulong-pulong” every night until July 26, the last day of the campaign period.

Sala said they will explain and convince, as much as possible, all the residents in Guadalupe the benefits when the village will be split into two barangays.

The UBEA vice president clarified that efficient basic services is at stake if Banawa-Englis will be separated from Guadalupe aside from the fact that it will also ease up the responsibility of the barangay officials.

He said the UBEA has more than eight thousand members and they will use their own money for the campaign materials and other expenses.

“Naa man mi sinking fund niadto pa, kuwang gyud siya pero maningkamot lang gyud mi nga mudaug ang Yes vote kay para ra man gyud ni sa kaayuhan sa tanan (Though we lack funds, we’ll just try harder to let the Yes vote win since this is for the good of everyone),” Sala said.

Help

Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan, in a separate interview, said he is not in favor for the separation of Banawa-Englis, but he won’t campaign against the proposal.

The village chief even assured the Yes proponent to allow their campaign posters in the barangay hall.

Gacasan clarified, though, he will help in disseminating the information on their upcoming plebiscite on July 28.

“I won’t campaign, we’ll just announce that there’s a plebiscite, kay atong hatagan ug katungod ang mga mulopyo nga mupili kung uyon ba sila o dili sa split (we’ll allow them their right to choose if they are for or against the split),” Gacasan said.

Mayor Michael Rama, who is in favor of the split, just wished the Yes proponent good luck in their campaign.

It was the mayor who sponsored an ordinance in the City Council creating Barangay Banawa-Englis from Guadalupe with Ronald Cuenco in 1996.

But it was Ronald’s father, former congressman Antonio Cuenco, who pushed for the law in Congress creating the new barangay out of Guadalupe.

Rama said he wants the residents to be given liberty to choose, based on the beat of their hearts so he won’t campaign for the Yes vote.

“Let their heart speak, let everybody be aware of the issues and after the plebiscite, let the sportsmanship reign,” Rama said.