I talked privately with topnotcher Elcid Familiaran. I told Elcid with his record of topping the slate, he carries some responsibilities to the people.
Being close to me, I told Elcid, act like a statesman and not a traditional politician. He has a big role to play. If he fiscalizes, he will be very credible. If he supports, he will also be credible. Elcid said, he will do just that, act like a statesman and not like a tradpol. Feedback with Primo Esleyer Visayan Daily Star
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He first ran in 2004 as city councilor of Bacolod and placed 14th. Then, as though inspired by Desiderata, ran again in 2007 and landed on the 13th seat.
This writer was there when he filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the May 10, 2010 elections. And when he spoke to the MONOPAL team supporters waiting outside the Commission on Election (Comelec): "This time mada-og na gid ni (I will surely win this time)." It was said in humor but the mysterious ways of the Lord favored him. This time, he won a seat, not a lower one but the highest! Among the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the name El Cid Familiaran of the MONOPAL Team, is now their number one councilor. Perhaps, it is nice to recall the name "El Cid" because of the 1961Charlton Heston-Sophia Loren starrer motion picture which was re-shown here in Bacolod’s finest theater then, the State Theater no less. Later, as a grown up student of World History and Literature, the character of El Cid, became more meaningful as we learned about his exploits as symbolic of the highest virtue. He does not belong to the medieval Spanish Aristocratic class but of a humbler status. Comparing him to the worthless nobility of high social rank, El Cid fought for Spain, its honor, glory, king, and religion, thus he is called the national hero of Spain. Like the virtue of "El Cid Campeador" (The Lord Champion), the El Cid Familiaran of Bacolod City, is a Pastor’s son who humbly but effectively served Barangay 13 for the past 21 years. His father, the late Beneldez (Belding) Familiaran was a well-known writer and highly admired journalist during his time. He authored a weekly column in the early years of NDB when it was still a weerkly paper, aptly titled SOUNDS FAMILIAR and FAMILIARISMS, the latter a compilation of his humorous experiences and witty ideas that never failed to mesmerize his readers. His mother Imelda was also a well-respected educator having been a public school teacher until she retired. Anyone can see for himself or herself how he had faithfully served his barangay, an experience as a barangay leader that he will bring to the halls of the Sang-guniang Panlungsod. Before the last May 10 elections, the People of Bacolod saw Councilor El Cid Familiaran disproving the "black propaganda" that he is up to abolish the teachers’ Emergency Cost of Living Allowance (ECOLA) of teachers. This was meant to smear him using massive cellphone text messages which even reached the upland barangay of Granada. Undaunted, Familiaran disproved such deception, considering that the official pronouncements of the MONOPAL Team headed by Congressman Monico Puentevella was to increase the teachers’ ECOLA, contrary to the black propaganda that backfired. What is black propaganda, countered El Cid Familiaran, is the denial by the opposing party to privatize the three major markets of Bacolod - Central, Burgos and Libertad including the sale of the vendors’ plaza. As a flagship legislation, Councilor Familiaran will prioritize a cost-free medical services of the Bacolod City Health Department. He explained, however, that this is for the "poorest of the poor" sector of the City. Those who can afford will be charged accordingly, which is the same idea as that of the Bacolod City Heart, Lung and Kidney Center, a flagship project of Congressman Monico Puentevella.* By Gil Alfredo B. Severino Negros Daily Bulletin May 17, 2010 Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia will lead the “Operation Kakas Posters/Streamers” today, a clean-up drive to restore cleanliness in major streets and public thoroughfares in the city.
Leonardia will be joined by the department heads of the city government led by the City Engineer’s Office, Department of Public Services, City Legal Office and the Public Employment Services Office. Also joining the clean-up drive are barangay and purok officials, city scholars, street cleaners and garbage collectors, the police and the military, the Bureau of Fire Protection and volunteers. Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Councilor Homer Bais and councilors-elect Em Legaspi-Ang and Caesar Distrito, all of Grupo Progreso, thanked the Iglesia ni Cristo yesterday for supporting their candidacy. Meanwhile, in an interview over ABS CBN, councilors-elect El Cid Familiaran and Archie Baribar of Grupo Serbisyo said they will serve as fiscalizers in the administration of Leonardia, while Ang and Distrito said they will make sure that all the projects they presented to the public will be implemented. Distrito said he will support projects that will be beneficial to the people. Grupo Progreso of the Nationalist People’s Coalition led by congressman-elect Dr. Anthony Golez Jr., Leonardia and Sayson dominated the winning candidates in Bacolod City who were proclaimed Wednesday by Bacolod Election Registrar Ryan Castro. The winning candidates for councilors under Grupo Progreso include reelected Councilors Bais, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Ramos and Al Victor Espino, and first-timers Distrito, Ang and Carlos Jose Lopez. The winning candidates for councilor under Grupo Serbisyo earlier known as the Monopal team are Familiaran, Baribar, Elmer Sy, Sonya Verdeflor and reelectionist Councilor Catalino Alisbo.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO Visayan Daily Star While we deplore the assault on a Comelec girl and the tumultuous mob that marred the last counting of Bacolod’s election results, we also must congratulate City Mayor Evelio Leonardia for winning for the third time the mayoralty race in Bacolod. So with Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson.
Well, for moment, there’s no major change in the governance of the city. But I do believe that a lot of changes are going to be introduced by City Administrator Parcon who seems to have managed to pinpoint a lot of things that can be changed in the management of city affairs. Watch out for the introduction of positive changes in the management of the city’s traffic problem. So with the handling of the areas beside the Central and Libertad markets. The entry of El Cid Familiaran and lawyer Archie Baribar in the city council is expected to bring about some policy alterations that could help the city executive make heads or tails of what is going on in the city. But while we deplore what had happened in Bacolod recently. We cannot but also hold our breath with the ongoing clamor among Ilonggo protesters who are demanding the expulsion of former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, Sr., his Junior for further creating trouble in the peaceful metropolis. The two were accused by the protesters of trying to stop the proclamation of both Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog as the new city mayor and former City Mayor Jerry Trenas as the duly-elected congressman for the lone city congressional district. In Escalante City, meanwhile, Vice Mayor Santiago Barcelona was asked to file a petition for a manual recount. Some 800 Barcelona supporters staged an indignation rally at the Escalante Freedom Park to protest what they suspect was rigged election results in the city. Reelected Mayor Melecio Yap won the mayoral race with 26,563 votes against Barcelona’s 12,953. On the other hand, Governor-elect Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Vice Governor-elect Lim-ao Alvarez called on Negrenses yesterday to reunite and work for the progress of the province. Marañon and Alvarez won the fight against former SRA Administrator Rafael Coscolluela who still managed to give them a fair and tough fight despite the fact that he entered the fray at the last minute. Unfortunately, despite the last-minute rally by his erstwhile supporters. Coscolluela still lost by more than 100,000 votes to the well-organized and well-orchestrated UNA campaign.* by Rolly Espina Visayan Daily Star Feedbackwith Primo Esleyer
I was very happy when Elcid Familiaran topped the council slate. I wrote it here a number of times, Elcid on two past elections lost landing at No. 13. He told us Thursday night at the Rotary Club, his secret was personal campaigning, visiting every home, meeting every person and appealing to them that he lost twice and was at No. 13. If they can help him now. That paid off. Last May 5, he looked at the barangays and puroks he visited, there was nothing left. Now, the question is how will Elcid perform in the council, being in the minority? He can be a fiscalizer. There are five of them. Visayan Daily Star BACOLOD City Council Secretary Nilo Alejandrino said Friday that the present batch of councilors still has seven regular sessions before the new elected councilors will take over on their respective offices at the New Government Center.
Alejandrino said that under the law, the City Council members are mandated to hold once a week regular session. These incumbent councilors include Greg Gasataya, Homer Bais, Roberto Rojas, Alex Paglumotan, Dindo Ramos, Napoleon Cordova, Wilson Gamboa, Jr, Celia Flor, Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Al Victor Espino, Catalino Alisbo and Reynold Iledan, Liga ng mga Barangay president Diosdado Valenzuela and SK chairman Kevin Ramos. He said the City Council members would hold its last session on June 23, 2010, which is on June 30. The newly elected councilors include Bais, Alisbo, Rojas, Ramos, Espino, El Cid Familiaran, Archie Baribar, Sonya Verdeflor, Elmer Sy, Ceasar Distrito, Carl Lopez and Em Ang will take over their respective offices at the NGC as the new set of City Council members for year 2010- 2013. Alejandrino added that those incumbent councilors who will not attend the regular session anymore, for whatever reasons, "it's their own rights since they have leave credits accumulated for the past years as councilors." He said it does not mean that because of the absence of some councilors, there would be no session to be conducted. "The importance of it is that there would be a quorum which in the case of Bacolod, are the 14 SP members that include the Liga ng mga Barangay president and the SK chairman." He noted that if there would be eight City Council members present in every session at the Session Hall, there would be a session, and if it's less than eight, it would be adjourned for lack of quorum. Alejandrino further said the pending ordinance authored by the outgoing councilors, it could also be filed by the newly elected councilors based on their respective committees at the City Council, which will propose the said ordinance. DOMINANT provincial party of United Negros Alliance (UNA) and Bacolod City's GoBingTha Team shared victory in Monday's elections during the proclamation of winners Wednesday.
Relatives, supporters and loyalists, along with the party mates, witnessed the proclamation. Board of Canvassers (BOC) chaired by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Supervisor lawyer Jessie Suarez proclaimed Governor-elect Alfredo Maranon of Sagay City and Vice Governor-elect Genaro Alvarez of the sixth district at Social Hall of the provincial Capitol building. Maranon and Alvarez of the United Negros Alliance (UNA) enjoyed a big margin of more than 100,000 votes over their respective opponents former Governor Rafael Coscolluela and Dr. Enrico Elumba, who is former mayor of La Castellana. UNA enjoys the majority win in the province, having only three mayors who do not belong to the party. Maranon said the dominance of UNA will be very beneficial to Negros Occidental because all six congressmen, 12 board members and 28 mayors belong to the party. He, however, said that he also expects cooperation from the three mayors because although they do not belong to UNA, they supported his candidacy. Maranon was referring to the newly elected Calatrava Mayor Araceli Somosa, Candoni Mayor Jechonias Manzano, and San Enrique mayor Mario Magno. He said although he did not have enough votes in La Carlota City, Bago City, Murcia and Talisay City, he still enjoyed the margin against his opponent. In La Carlota, Maranon said that some sugar planters operated on the area in favor of his opponent. In Bago, meanwhile, the UNA members have not extensively campaigned in the area for lack of time, Maranon said. He added that aside from the rich votes delivered by his hometown, he also got winning votes from San Carlos City and Escalante City. Maranon extended his hands of reconciliation to his opponents, saying "we have to forget about the past election and we should unite for the progress and development of Negros." He said he is thankful to God that the election was peaceful and orderly. Maranon also said he will reactivate Task Force Ilahas when he starts to function as governor. "We have to conserve whatever resources left to us especially the forest products and replant the areas that needed massive reforestation." Also proclaimed Wednesday were unopposed provincial board members Patrick Lacson and Frederick Manuel Ko of the third district. Lacson got the highest votes of 108,033, while Ko got 39,753. Re-elected fourth district Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer and his wife lawyer Juliet Marie Ferrer, mayor-elect of La Carlota City, were also proclaimed Wednesday along with Board Members Mae Javellana, who got 93,472; and Joben Alonso with 70,400 votes. Lawyer Ma. Mercedez Alvarez was also proclaimed as congresswoman of the sixth district. The newly-elected local and national officials will start their term on June 30. In Bacolod City, the Comelec proclaimed congressional candidate former Undersecretary Dr. Anthony Golez, incumbents Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, as well as 12 candidates for councilors as the official winners in the May 10 polls. Around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Comelec head Ryan Castro proclaimed Golez as the congressional winner with a total of 58,708 votes over his closest opponent lawyer Renecito Novero, who garnered 45, 083 votes. Leonardia, meanwhile, got 93,519 votes against Representative Monico Puentevella who garnered 86,258 votes. Sayson won as vice mayor with 87,429 votes against lawyer Ann Marie Pelermo with 61,616. Councilor El Cid Familiaran got 76,669 votes; Homer Bais - 75,669; Archie Baribar - 73,781; Roberto Rojas - 72,498; Catalino Alisbo - 69,361; Em Ang - 68,918; Dindo Ramos - 67,822; Elmer Sy - 64,918; Sonya Verdeflor - 64,877; Al Victor Espino - 61, 155; Ceasar Distrito - 61,016; and Carl Lopez - 60,057. Grupo Progreso led by Leonardia claimed a landslide victory for the group, as they dominated the election from congressman, mayor, vice mayor and majority of the councilors. Leonardia said it's a first time in the political history of Bacolod that a landslide victory of a team was registered, first time for a city mayor to be elected for three consecutive terms, and first time that the vice mayor got re-elected. "It's a historic moment, I believe that all the years of my political life, I've survived and triumphed because of the will of the people and that's why I owe them so much, and the only way that I can repay them is to give my best, as this is my last term as the city mayor of Bacolod," he said. He noted that the landslide victory of their party was overwhelming, "and it's hard to express it since we survived all the trials and issues that were thrown against the Grupo Progreso." Leonardia said they are now mandated by the will of the people to deliver the service for the people of Bacolod, noting that they have now their own respective responsibilities to the people of Bacolod. "I will maximize my efforts not only here with our local funds and resources, but I will try my best to secure the assistance, funding and cooperation from other agencies and international governments, and even in tapping international assistance for the City of Bacolod," he said. Leonardia also lauded the presence of his political opponent Vladimir Gonzalez, who earlier conceded. Sayson also lauded the support of the people of Bacolod for giving him another chance to serve the City of Bacolod. He added that he felt sad for the loss of his colleagues. Meanwhile, Golez expressed surprise when he was proclaimed as the new congressman of Bacolod. "I've to make sure that all the opposing factors should be settled, we have to accept that there's should be a winner," he said. Golez said the people of Bacolod should put an end the political war. "I'm offering my services and myself in order to heal those wounds." Golez claimed that Grupo Progreso won more than 95 percent of the entire barangays of Bacolod. He said the landslide victory would mean more progress and development for the City of Bacolod and for its constituents. Golez also said that on his first day of duty in congress, he would file a bill for the re-districting of Bacolod into two districts, and a bill that would grant all the Filipinos PhilHealth cards and will modernize the Provincial Hospital.(GMD/TED/MAP) From the Centerwith Rolly Espina
It’s all over but the shouting. That’s insofar as the presidential and vice presidential races are concerned. The proclamation of the Senator Benigno Aquino III as president will have to wait for the congressional canvass. This remains unscheduled with the close race between Jejomar Binay and Senator Mar Roxas still in the balance. Aquino remains confident that Roxas may still overhaul the slim lead of Binay when the former’s returns from his bailiwicks in the Visayas and Mindanao will pour into the Comelec receiving center. In short, that is a still an unscheduled event. But in the provincial level, Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and his running mate Rep. Genaro Alvarez were poised to be proclaimed yesterday at the provincial capitol by the provincial Comelec supervisor. Their proclamation pends the arrival of the returns form Sagay City and Cauayan in Southern Negros. However, both had already been alerted on the possibility as their lead over former Governor Lito Coscolluela ballooned to 140,000 votes as of Tuesday night. The two remaining areas are UNA bailiwicks. But, after all the tensions that marked the delayed proclamation of the winners in Bacolod, reelectionist City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and his running-mate Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson were proclaimed winners with Anthony Golez as elected congressman for Bacolod. Monopal had five of their councilors also proclaimed with El Cid Familiaran, the topnotcher among the council bets. But the talk of the town yesterday was the win by reelectionist Silay City Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano by 10 votes over rival Carlo Gamban. Montelibano’s running mate Mark Golez was also proclaimed winner. Montelibano’s spectacular win edged Talisay City Mayor Eric Saratan from the main topic of conversation despite the fact that his win was considered something like that of the dragon slayer. Saratan rode roughshod over Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson, the previously acknowledged Talisay City kingpin. But for me, the most dramatic win was that of Agustin Ernesto Bascon who won over former Secretary Antonio Gatuslao, his uncle, by a marina of almost 5,000 votes. His own mother, former Mayor Carminia Bascon also handily won as his vice mayor. Still, I also felt the loss of Cicero Borromeo of the mayorship of Candoni town in the South. Borromeo had suffered a stroke last year but still opted to run. In San Carlos City, Gerardo Valmayor ran unopposed with his vice mayor Edgardo Quisumbing. But, before I forget about them, my kudos to Rep. Ignacio Arroyo 5th district Jeffrey Ferrer, fourth, Julio Ledesma IV, first, Alfredo Marañon III, second; and Mercedes Alvarez, sixth district. Of course, the closely watched win was that of Albee Benitez for the third district which he handily won by garnering 116,772 votes against that of former Murcia Mayor Esteban Coscolluela, who prompted off with 40,602 and Ted Jimezes with 30,325. Among the provincial board members were Emilio Yulo, Melvin Ibanez, Jerry Yulo, Edy delos Reyes, Darwin Destacamento, (fifth) and Pedro Zayco and Helen Zafra, and Romulo del Rio for the sixth district. The other elected mayors included Ramon Torres and Nicolas Yulo for Bago City; Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, Binalbagan; Patrick Escalante and Samson Mirhan for mayor and vice mayor of Cadiz City. Araceli Somosoa, won as mayor for Calatrava with Virgilio Tan as vice mayor. In Candoni, Jechonias Manzano romped off with the mayoralty race together with Diomedes Magada as his vice mayor. In Cauayan, it was John Rey Tabujara. David Albert Lacson, and Reynaldo Depasucat won as mayor and vice mayor of E.B. Magalona. Hermilo Aguilar won in Hinigaran with Jose Nadie Arceo as his running mate. In Hinobaan, Ma. Teresa Bilbao won and Mary Jane Cubig, her vice mayor. In Ilog, it was John Paul Alvarez with Nelson Genito as his vic.e Isabela was on by Francisco Malabor with Omar Gayarare as his vice. Of course, former Governor Isidro Zayco womped off with the mayorhsip of Kabankalan City. His vice mayor is Delia Anacan. La Carlota’s mayor was virtually unopposed – Juliet Ferrer with David Baga as vice mayor. In La Castellana, Alberto Nicor, Jr. won as mayor and Felix Eria IV as vice mayor. In Manapla, Lourdes Escalante romped off with the mayoralty race against Edilberto Vocal, and also carried with her Edgar Paganoynan as vice mayor. Moises Padilla saw Francisco Nazareno with Cipriano Emo as vice mayor. In Murcia, Andrew Montelibano beat Judith Coscolluela. But Victor Gerado Rojas won the vice mayoralty race. Of course, in Pontevedra Jose Maria Alonso recaptured the mayorship with Larry Parroco as his vice mayor. Pulupandan saw Magdaleno Peña (virtually unopposed) as victor and Antonio Suatengco as vice mayor. In Sipalay City, Oscar Montilla, Jr. handily beat back the challenge by Oakwood mutineer Gary Alejano. Running-mate Maria Gina Lizares also won. In Toboso, it was Evello Valencia, Jr. with Edliberto Sayat as vice mayor. Manuel Yogore won over Ricardo Presbitero with Gloria Gomez as vice mayor. In San Enrique, Mario Magno won as mayor. Elections, however, are just a competition for the voters’ endorsement. The more important is that all of us should now devote ourselves to helping the victors comply with their promise of good governance and transparency. For the loser, no sense carrying on a running feud with the victors.* Visayan Daily Star DONE SCIENTIFICALLY. A survey done by pollsters belonging to the Manila Broadcasting Corporation (MBC)-Radio Station DYEZ, has confirmed the results of earlier surveys done by a local university but which was hotly-debated.There were small changes in the MBC-DYEZ survey with several bets in the congressional and SP categories statistically. Tied, according to newly-elected Negros Press Club (NPC), President and DYEZ production manager Julius Mariveles. Statistically tied means that the figures among two or three candidates were so small it could mean a victory during the actual elections in May, this year for one or the other parties. In a similar parlance, it was too close to call.
The MBC-DYEZ survey which was done upon a directive by its national office, was conducted, January 11-13. The number of respondents in the survey was 1,000 people, al of them registered voters. COUNCILORS LEADING AND BETS IN THE WINNING CIRCLE. We believe that the voting preference of respondents for the position of councilors was most important because it would indicate the political complexion of the SP which so may say, has bee dominated by the Votes Five, Dirty Seven or the Vultures Nine. Once the mayoralty bet has the most number of councilors in the winning ticket, he would be able to govern collectively and with a minimum of problems to contend with to boot. And it appears that the leading mayoralty candidate, Congressman Monico Puentevella is leading with a big margin in the mayoralty race and with seven of his bets for the City Council making it in the winning circle, too.The councilors who made it in the winning slots in the MBC-DYEZ survey are in the order of votes garnered, Councilor Catalino Alisbo, Lorney Lyzander Dilag, lawyer Archie Baribar, lawyer Sonia Montalvo Verdeflor, former Councior Elmer Sy, incumbent councilor Nap Cordova, Partido Paglaum’s Philip Montelibano, incumbent Councilor Homer Bais (of Partido Progreso), Celia Flor, Al Victor Espino, El Cid Familiaran and no. 12 Bobbie Lucasan, son of the former muscleman Councilor Inocencio Lucasan. The number one on the survey, Alisbo, has more than enough, name recall having been a two-term legislator already, as well as Dilag and former City Engineer, Loreto Dilag also known in Bacolod, Verdeflor whose family name is also associated with former Mayor Oscar Verdeflor as well as Philip Montelibano, whose father, the late Alfredo Montelibano Jr., was quite known as governor and also Bacolod City mayor.Bais, Flor and Espino are reelectionists and have name recall with Familiaran and Lucasan having run also in the past. But Lucasan and Familiaran must do more because inthe homestretch, those following them could become creative and overtke them overhauling their lead. Partido Pagbag-o’s Bobby Coscolluela, surprisingly is no. 13 on the list and within spitting distance of both Familiaran and Lucasan. Number 14 was incumbent Councilor Alex Paglomutan and those from no. 15-20 were Handumanan Brgy. Capt. Ricardo Danoy, Dindo Ramos, Partido Pagbag-o Maximino Cordero, Marlon Sy, Bobboy Rojas and realtor Emmanuel Aguilar TIGHT ROPEWITH MODESTO P. SA-ONOY
With almost all results in, it is time for congratulations for the winners and to those who did not make it our wish for something better to emerge from this defeat. Leading the list is Sagay City Mayor Freddie Marañon who won the governor’s post. Running mate Cong. Genaro Alvarez also won. The congressmen in the first, second, fourth and fifth districts have been reelected and two new ones were elected – Albee Benitez of the 3rd District and Atty. Mercedes Alvarez of the 6th district. Silay City Mayor Oti Montelibano won over former Mayor Carlo Gamban with only ten votes and Silaynons are bewildered. Mayor Eric Saratan was reelected besting Cong. Kako Lacson who wanted the post after graduating from the Congress. The prime story was in Bacolod which had two suspenseful days of agonizing wait because the Election Registrar, Atty. Ryan Castro, wanted to stop the canvassing when 176 PCOS machine failed to transmit and some teachers failed to bring the memory card to the canvassing center. This was funny, because while the outlying towns and barangays had already transmitted, Bacolod which was the center of communication had no signal, not even inside the BAYS Center, while nearby buildings had clear signals, creating a suspicion that somebody was jamming the transmission to prevent the results from coming in. There was clearly intent to delay the proclamation. Castro hedged and hedged giving rise to suspicion that the rumor that P5 million changed hands to delay, if not prevent, the proclamation of Dr. Anthony Golez, Mayor Bing Leonardia and Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson on May 10 or 11 to allow some operators to tinker with the will of the people of Bacolod in favor of some candidates. Early yesterday morning, Atty. Alex Espino said that Monico Puentevella had left for Manila to secure an injunction from the Comelec, but Alex explained that this was impossible to secure because the law prohibits pre-proclamation protests and an injunction is granted only by the Comelec en banc when there is proof that the board of canvassers was unduly constituted which was not the case. Another delay in the canvassing was the “missing” or “misplaced” memory cards which should have been submitted to the board personally when transmission could not be made electronically. This situation was used by Castro to stop the canvassing in the midst of protest and possible mob action. Only the intervention of Provincial Comelec Supervisor, Atty. Jesse Suarez (many blessings be showered upon him) came and retrieved the cards from the PCOS machines from the Comelec warehouse, which Castro should have done in the first place. Had not Atty. Suarez come into the picture there could have been a riot at the canvassing center without anyone knowning what could have happened to Castro and his vice chairman, Atty. Abanado (is this the right name?) who is known to have been appointed through the recommendations of Monico Puentevella. Thus, by seven yesterday morning, the canvassing could no longer be stayed and by eight, the canvassing was completed. The proclamation took place just about eleven in the morning. When Bing entered the Center, there were rousing cheers and repeated shouts of “Mayor Bing”. The same thing happened when Anthony Golez arrived. They were both mobbed by the cheering crowd. The proclamation was done amid shouts and cheers once the name of the winning Grupo Progreso candidate for councilor was called. On the other hand, there were jeers and boos when the name of a winning MONOPAL candidate for councilor was called. Clearly, it was a highly partisan and excited crowd that drowned the words of Castro as he called one winner after another. The shouts grew louder and longer when Bing’s name was called while his campaign song was played with the crowd taking part in singing “Nobody, Nobody but Bing” with higher pitch with “Bing.” The same thing happened for Golez. So congratulations are in order for the winners in Bacolod. While I can understand the clear show of partisanship of the crowd, I had hoped that they would be more generous to the winners in the other party because, after all, they too, were elected by the people. El Cid Familiaran who had been the No. 13 in two previous elections made the best show because now he is No. 1. His late father, Bilding who had wanted to be councilor but never did must be happy in heaven.* Visayan Daily Star |
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