Holiday in Bulacan for special polls

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – The provincial board has declared a special non-working holiday in the first district of Bulacan tomorrow to give way to the special congressional elections there.

The first district is composed of the towns of Bulakan, Paombong, Hagonoy, Calumpit, and Pulilan and this city.

Provincial administrator Jim Valerio said the provincial board acted promptly on the request of Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado on the declaration, as recommended by lawyer Sabino Mejarito, the provincial election supervisor.

This developed as the Philippine National Police are beefing up security in Bulacan’s first district as well as in Lanao del Sur and Basilan where special polls will also be held tomorrow.

Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluña, PNP director for operations, yesterday ordered all police units in these areas to sustain their checkpoints and visibility patrols to prevent any poll-related violence.  – With Mike Frialde