• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 45-day campaign period for local elections kicked off on Friday (March 28), with no untoward incident in Negros Occidental as reported by the police.
The candidates started their campaign sorties by attending masses where they sought guidance and the blessings.
In E.B. Magalona, parish priest Fr. Ernie Larida reminded the tandem of outgoing Mayor Marvin Malacon and his son, Matthew Louis, who is running for mayor, that they should serve the people and not to be served.
In response to it, the younger Malacon said “we will be an open government for everyone.”
His father will step down from his post on June 30, after serving as the town mayor for nine years, and is running for vice mayor in the May 12 elections.
The mayoral candidate said he will continue the unfinished programs and projects of his father, especially the completion of road network concreting, if given the opportunity to be elected as mayor.
Mayoral candidate and businessman Samuel Siote, who led the Team SAGA in Talisay City, promised a healthy campaign.
If elected, Siote said he will be a full-time mayor and his team will go to the people every week to hear their concerns.
The Team SAGA also endorsed lawyer Bambi Depasucat as board member aspirant for the Negros Occidental third district.
Depasucat, daughter of the late E.B. Magalona mayor turned board member Reynaldo Depasucat, said she is overwhelmed by the endorsement of Team SAGA.
“By giving an option to be an alternative candidate is a already a win for me,” Depasucat said.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded candidates against violating campaign regulations as its Special Task Force Baklas on Friday removed illegally posted campaign materials in the different towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
The Baklas initiative is part of Comelec’s nationwide effort to ensure a fair and orderly election by enforcing regulations on the proper posting of campaign materials.
The Philippine National Police also went on heightened alert as part of its security preparations for the midterm polls.| GB
