Raps filed vs ‘balut’ candidate

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan, Philippines – The police on Thursday filed election offense charges against a winning barangay chairman and three others for alleged vote buying in last Monday’s barangay elections.

Charges of violation of the Omnibus Election Code were filed with the Provincial Prosecutors Office against Remegio Ballesteros, chairman of Barangay Asin West; his sister Adelina Ballesteros; Esberta Ferrer, a supporter; and Norma Guiling, a balut vendor.

They were charged for allegedly giving away balut (boiled duck eggs) in exchange for votes in last Monday’s election, police investigator SPO1 Erwin Hermosora said.

Hermosora said the complainant, defeated candidate Jimmy Guiling, a retired policeman, was determined to pursue the case to serve as a lesson during elections.

Norma was reportedly caught by Guiling’s supporter, Dominador Macasieb, handing out balut to voters who would turn over a green stub with initials believed to be in favor of Ballesteros’ re-election bid.

The balut distribution was made in Calbeg Elementary School where the polling center for Asin West residents is located.

Responding lawmen seized from Norma 80 pieces of stubs, one plastic pail containing 120 pieces of balut, two plastic bottles of vinegar and salt, one plastic basket and one plastic bowl.

Police said a case for violation of Commission on Elections Resolution 9715 section 89 was filed against Ballesteros and company.