• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The 45-day campaign period for local elections kicked off yesterday, with no untoward incidents taking place in Negros Occidental, as reported by the police.
The campaign sorties of candidates mostly started with them attending masses where they sought guidance and blessings.
In E.B. Magalona, parish priest Fr. Ernie Larida reminded the tandem of outgoing Mayor Marvin Malacon and his son, Matthew Louis, 22, who is running for mayor, that they should serve the people, and not to be served.
In response, the younger Malacon said “we will be an open government for everyone.”
His father, Marvin, who will step down on June 30 after serving as the town mayor for nine years, is running as vice mayor of E.B. Magalona.
Matthew Louis said he will continue unfinished programs and projects of his father, especially the completion of road network concreting, if given the chance to be elected as mayor.
Mayoral candidate and businessman Samuel Siote, who led the Team SAGA in Talisay City, promised a healthy campaign.
If elected, Siote said he will be a full time mayor, and that his team will go down to the people every week to hear their concerns.
The Team SAGA endorsed Atty. Bambi Depasucat for board member in the Negros Occidental 3rd district.
Depasucat, a daughter of the late E.B. Magalona Mayor turned Board Member Reynaldo Depasucat, said she is overwhelmed by the endorsement of Team SAGA.
Giving an option to be an alternative candidate is already a win for me, Depasucat said.
On the other hand, the Commission on Elections reminded candidates against violating campaign regulations, as its Special task force Baklas yesterday removed illegally posted campaign materials in the different towns and cities of Negros Occidental.
The Baklas initiative is part of Comelec’s nationwide effort to ensure a fair and orderly election by enforcing regulations on the proper posting of campaign materials.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also went on heightened alert as part of its security preparations for the midterm polls.*
