ANGELES CITY --- A chairman of a progressive barangay in this city has urged his constituents to fight vote-buying.
Rodelio "Tony" Mamac, a reelectionist captain of Barangay Balibago, said he is making the appeal to the
residents following reports that other candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) are engaging in the illegal activity.
"Ang mensahe ko lang sa mga tao ng barangay, huwag tayong papadala sa P500 lang na ibinibigay ng ibang kandidato," Mamac said.
The incumbent village chief said that he was informed that there are candidates who gather a group of Balibago residents in another village and distribute money to them.
"Marami na ang mga nag-report sa akin na diumano dinadala sila doon sa Amsic at doon sila nagbibigayan ngP500," Mamac said.
The barangay chairman at the same time denied allegations that he has engaged in premature campaigning by distributing school supplies to students.
Virgilio A. Carino filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on September 24, 2023 a Petition for Disqualification against Mamac and nine of his runningmates in connection with the accusations.
Mamac said he has not received a "show cause order" from the Comelec in connection with the charges.
The barangay chairman also said that the previous distribution of school supplies for elementary students is a yearly program of the city government.
"Actually, hindi naman kami 'yon. Ang totoo ay tinawagan kami ng Office of the Mayor na [kung pwede ay pakisamahan si mayor kasi magpapamigay siya ng school supplies sa mga Day Care Centers," Mamac said.
"So siyempre, ako ang kapitan at immediate superior namin administratively, under kami ng mayor at wala naman kaming gagawin doon, hindi naman kami magsasalita at ia-assist lang namin si mayor," he added.
Mamac said if an incumbent official is doing unusual activitities, it will be construed as campaigning.
"Pero 'yon hindi unusual yon, common na ginagawa ni mayor every year. Sa tuwing opening ng klase,
nagpapamigay siya ng mga gamit sa buong Angeles City hindi lang ang Barangay Balibago. At ganon din naman
ang ginawa ng ibang mga kapitan na sinamahan si mayor sa mga eskuwelahan sa kanilang mga barangay," the village chief added. (RGN)