• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Amid the intense political rivalries in some localities of Negros Occidental fifth district, Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo is hopeful of a peaceful May 12 elections in his area of jurisdiction.
“We are praying for peaceful elections always. After all, it will be the people who will decide. Let’s give to the people the ultimate decision, not in the hands of a few people,” Yulo said during a fellowship activity in Barangay Talaban, Himamaylan City on April 12.
The event, which was attended by about 1,100 barangay officials and leaders in the district, was described as a “show of force” of those supporting Yulo’s reelection bid, following the endorsement of his opponent, Fifth District Board Member Anthony Dennis Occeño, by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Yulo earlier said the development has awakened the determination of his supporters to campaign even harder for him.
“I have nothing against him. We respect his decision,” the lawmaker said.
Occeño is the provincial chairman of the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)-Negros Occidental Chapter.
The PFP has a coalition with the Nationalist People’s Coalition and Lakas-CMD, where Lacson and Yulo affiliated with, respectively.
Intense political rivalries are also reported in Isabela, La Castellana and Himamaylan City.
During the 2019 elections, Moises Padilla had been placed under the Commission on Elections control due to intense political rivalry and election-related violence.
Yulo said he got the support of incumbent mayors, including La Castellana Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan, Moises Padilla Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia Yulo, and Hinigaran Mayor Nadie Arceo.
Hi son, Miguel Angelo Yulo, is running for mayor in Isabela, with former vice mayor JR Malabor as his runningmate.
Yulo said that he is not officially supporting candidates in Himamaylan City and Binalbagan. | GB
