Saturday, November 10, 2007 300 NorMin barangays still to hold elections By Lizanilla J. Amarga
ALMOST two weeks have passed since the October 29 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections yet there are still a number of barangays in Northern Mindanao that have yet to hold their own poll race.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) 10 Regional Director Atty. Red Magbutay has recently submitted a consolidated report on the failure of elections in a number of barangays in Region 10 to their headquarters.
Also, Atty. Carlito Ravelo, Comelec-Misamis Oriental provincial supervisor who is now in Lanao del Sur to 'troubleshoot' some poll problems in the area, has not yet returned.
He said 229 of 1,158 barangays in the Lanao del Sur area have yet to hold their own synchronized elections.
"Daghan factor, majority is the unstable peace and order," his text message to Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro last Friday reads.
A consolidated report submitted by Magbutay, which was released by Comelec-Manila, contains the over-all situationer for Northern Mindanao.
It revealed that in San Fernando, Province of Bukidnon, there were two precincts of Barangay Cabuling (20A w/SK, 20B & 20C) where failure of elections had been declared.
"BETs feared for their security due to tension between contending parties. Paraphernalia were deposited at PNP Office," his report reads.
In the province of Lanao del Norte where former Cagayan de Oro election supervisor Atty. Joseph Hamilton Cuevas is now detailed, there were also a number of barangays where synchronized elections have to be held.
In Barangay Sigayan, Baloi, Lanao del Norte, elections in two precincts (108A, 109A w/ SK precinct) were interrupted by two men who "forcibly took the official ballots and other paraphernalia from the BET upon their arrival at the voting center."
This while in Barangay Lumba Bayabao and Barangay Tagaranao all from the Municipality of Munai, only the chairman of the BET showed up.
"Attempts to appoint substitute members were made but no one was willing to serve for fear. All election paraphernalia are intact at the Municipal Treasurer's Office," Magbutay's report reads.
Still in Lanao del Norte, there were six barangays in the Municipality of Nunungan where elections still have to be held.
These include barangays Abaga, Rebucon, Cabasaran, Canibongan, Masibay Rarab and Songgod.
"All election paraphernalia are intact at the Municipal Treasurer's Office," the Comelec 10 regional director's report reads.
Also, in the municipality of Poona Piagapo particularly in Barangay Pendolonan, the BETS "refused to serve due to rivalry among relatives for the different positions" and thus, elections have to be scheduled again for the area.
"In Lanao del Norte Tangcal Barangay Somiorang, (there was) breakdown of peace and order. The election officer is still verifying as of this report," Magbutay's report reads.
