BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The early proclamation for unopposed local and congressional candidates in Negros Occidental is possible, disclosed Provincial Comelec supervisor Atty. Roberto Salazar Jr. yesterday.
However, Salazar said there are requirements and processes to follow before proceeding to an early proclamation of “sure winner” candidates.
“We have to wait for 90 percent of the results, which is the threshold acceptable to the CCS (Consolidated Canvassing System)”, he added.
It also needs a motion from the unopposed candidates, which is also subject to the approval of the Comelec Project Management Office in Manila, before we can actually proclaim, Salazar said.
He added that the Project Management Office will have to provide them with a code to override the system that is locked.
There are four congressional bets and 10 candidates for mayor in Negros Occidental who are unopposed in the May 9 elections.
They are incumbent Rep. Gerardo Valmayor (1st district), Alfredo Marañon III (2nd district), incumbent Rep. Juliet Ferrer (4th district) and former Deputy Speaker Mercedes Alvarez (6th district).
The unopposed mayors are Marvin Malacon – EB Magalona, Manolet Escalante – Manapla, Marxlen dela Cruz – Don Salvador Benedicto, Narciso Javelosa – Sagay City, Nicholas Yulo – Bago City, John Rey Tabujara – Cauayan, Jose Maria Alonso – Pontevedra, Renato Gustilo- San Carlos City, Gina Montilla – Lizares – Sipalay City, Antonio Esteban Suatengco, who died and was replaced by his son, Lorenzo.
If we want to be exempted, on motion of the concerned parties, we can file a request (for early proclamation) but we will still wait, Salazar said.
But sometimes, he added, it would be better to wait than waste our time waiting for something that may take long.
There are 11 vice mayors and six incumbent board members in Negros Occidental who are also running unopposed.*
