THE Chairman of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) in Central Visayas has urged his colleagues not to be affected by allegations of vote buying as the PCL elects its new set of officers on Thursday, Feb. 27.

Cebu City Councilor Raymond Garcia said they will let their voices be heard by voting for candidates based on their qualifications and their fitness for the positions.

Garcia made the statement after incumbent PCL Chairman Danilo Dayanghirang of Davao City expressed his dismay over the alleged vote buying. In a Facebook post, Dayanghirang said his opponent, “particularly the Salceda camp has engaged in massive vote buying by depositing P7.3 million in the PCL bank account to cover for the registration of the 583 councilors.”

“The said check is already a proof of blatant vote buying, giving undue influence to the outcome of the supposedly independent exercise directly under the supervision of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” Dayanghirang said.

The PCL has 17,163 council members nationwide for the 11th National Congress being held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. These members will elect new officers for the positions of chairman, president and board members. Registration fee for each member is P15,000.

“The councilors are traveling under official business and the registration is chargeable under local government funds,” Garcia said.

Dayanghirang is running as PCL chairman against Jesciel Richard Salceda of Albay, who is the nephew of Rep. Joey Salceda.

Jose Nelson “Tata” Sala Jr. of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur is aiming for his reelection as PCL national president.

A reliable source said they were given P2,500 to vote for the group of Salceda, who will challenge the leadership of Dayanghirang and Sala.

Dayanghirang has forwarded his complaint on the alleged vote buying to Secretary Eduardo Año of the DILG. (PAC / RSR)