Negros Occ. (5th dist.) special polls set today

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The special elections in the fifth district of Negros Occidental is set today, June 2, conducted under the old manual system. The district has a total of 209,000 registered voters.

The voting period will start at 7 a.m. and will end at 3 p.m., he said. Suarez said the Provincial Board of Canvassers will convene at 6 p.m. and the Comelec will be ready to proclaim the winner by Sunday morning.

Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol of the Liberal Party (LP), and his nephew Board Member Emilio Yulo III of the Nacionalista Party (NP) are the only candidates in the special poll that seeks the replacement of the late congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo. The campaign period started May 17 and ended May 31.

Mirasol, 58, claims he is heading for victory since he has the support of the LP, the United Negros Alliance (UNA), the four of the six mayors of the fifth districts and majority of the Yulo clan.

The mayors supporting Mirasol are Hermilo Aguilar of Hinigaran, Francisco Nazareno—Moises Padilla, Mayor Francis Malabor—Isabela, Alberto Nicor—La Castellana.

Only Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon is supporting Yulo, 48, who was confident of a victory, citing seven years of political experience and assistance to the district. He is also being endorsed by Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Pena (of the 4th District), 4th District PB Member Jeffrey Ferrer, and former PB Member Quito Montilla.

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who chairs UNA, said Mirasol is a sure winner, citing a “scientific survey” he commissioned that showed Mirasol leading Yulo with between 12,000 to 15,000.

Maranon said assuming that the winner is proclaimed Sunday, his term will be one year and four days.

Provincial election supervisor Jessie Suarez said Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes and his commissioners are arriving in Negros Occidental today to observe the conduct of the special poll.

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office has deployed 500 policemen to the 5th District, while the Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade has also deployed 700 troops to ensure that the special poll will be peaceful and orderly. “Let us keep this election clean, transparent, credible and peaceful,” the governor appealed.

Mirasol and Yulo have signed a peace covenant last Monday.

Grace Ibuna, the long-time partner of the late congressman Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, said she is going home to the 5th District to vote today. Ibuna, who has endorsed Mirasol, is a registered voter of La Castellana.

“I pray and wish that the (people of) 5th District will vote wisely, to choose someone close or like their late congressman Iggy Arroyo, who will love and serve them with all his heart and soul,” Ibuna said in a text message to The FREEMAN. “I know Mirasol will deliver and make a difference,” she added.