San Fernando mayor cries foul

CEBU, Philippines - Re-electionist San Fernando town Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya has cried foul over the alleged pressure being applied on her supporters by some barangay officials in her town who are supporting the candidacy of her opponent.

Reluya, in an interview with the media, claimed that most of the 15 barangays in her town, if not all, would allegedly “intimidate” the residents, especially those who are identified with her camp.

Some of her supporters have claimed some barangay officials have not been hospitable to them. Sometimes officials make it difficult for Reluya’s supporters to get barangay clearances, some supporters said.

“They are using their positions to manipulate the people. It is not only unfair, it is clear proof that they are not only trying to scare people, they are also trying to deny their rights to enjoy the services of the barangay,” said Reluya.

This is apart from the alleged grabbing of the sacks of cement donated by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. Garcia had earlier donated 340 sacks of cement to each of the town’s 21 barangays, but according to reports, the donation was distributed to the public, reportedly under the name of Canoy, purportedly as the donor.

The FREEMAN tried to get Canoy’s comment at his office the other day, but he was not around at that time.

The mayor said she has the support of only six of her town’s 21 barangays, while the rest – 15 of them – are vocally backing the mayoralty candidate Vice Mayor Antonio Canoy. Although there will be four fighting for the top elective post in San Fernando, Reluya and Canoy are considered as the top contenders.

Reluya said that the past few months her office has been receiving complaints from residents alleging they were not issued barangay clearance, for example, because they support her.

“I could only hope, they would not resort to harming the people, or it would be a very bad image they would paint for San Fernando. And as a mayor, it would also not be good for my constituents,” she said.

With this happening, the first-term mayor, who is backed by the Alayon-Nacionalista Party of first district Eduardo Gullas, said that she only hopes that the May 10 elections in her area would be peaceful despite the political tension.   (FREEMAN NEWS)