Sunday, October 21, 2007 BO-PK fields bets v. opposition members
ASIDE from Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos, other election candidates identified with the opposition also feel the pressure exerted by the administration party.
They leave it all up to their respective constituents whether to believe the propaganda against them or not.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña has distributed in Lahug yellow fliers branding de los Santos, who seeks a third term, as a documented liar, which is a spillover of their tussle in the elections last May.
Calling it his report to taxpayers, he enumerated the projects the City Government had implemented in Lahug.
In Poblacion Pardo, Barangay Captain Danilo Lim said his opponent, a barangay councilor, had been raising issues against him, particularly on his ability to solicit help from the City Government.
Discerning
But he is confident that the Pardohanons are discerning enough to sift through issues.
“Gawas lang kong naa sila’y buhaton nga illegal, mga tawo ang akong gisaligan. Ang mahimo nila diri vote buying ra gyud kay gwardyahan man nako’g maayo,” he said (I hope they will not resort to doing anything illegal because I trust the people. Unless they decide to buy votes, they couldn’t do anything else because I will closely watch them).
Money
Barangay Captain Jose “Joe” Navarro, who is running for Punta Princesa councilor, said two of his relatives were fielded against his son Lito, who wants to take his place.
“I see no other reason why they would run except for money. That is why we tell our supporters to have voters just write ‘Lito’ because there are three Navarros running for barangay captain,” he said.
Clan vote
In a district where clan votes make winners of candidates, the presence of three Navarros vying for the same post divides the family.
But Joe also pinned his hopes on other clans, like the Ferandezes, who are related to them, for help.
He boasts of the services he has rendered, particularly the Botika sa Barangay, where free medicines were given.
He offers continuity of services if his son Lito gets elected as barangay captain.
Barred
Barangay Captain Joel Garganera, who is barred from earning another term and is instead running as Tinago barangay councilor, said it is the people who will ultimately decide.
Running in his stead, first councilor Charles “Cocoy” del Mar Pepito said that while his opponent is identified with the administration party, he will not hesitate in approaching City Hall for the sake of the people.
Stronghold
“My loyalty is with the people, not to a man. It is natural that the administration will support candidates for it to have a stronghold in each ba-rangay,” he said when told that he could be branded an opposition for having Garganera in his lineup. (RHM)
