MAYOR Joseph Ranola of the bustling port town of Jagna stood pat on his promise to throw all-out support of the campaign in running after vote-buying and vote-selling.
The mayor issued the statement during the “One Jagna Kontra Bigay sa Piniliay” gathering held at the air-conditioned Jagna Cultural Center on Monday afternoon, Oct. 16
The public forum was sort of a reminder to candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in a bid to end vote-buying and vote-selling.
Ranola, in a powerful speech he ever made, so far, told the audience of almost 700 candidates from 33 barangays and visitors to figuratively etch his word on the rock that his support is unequivocal for the no-nonsense campaign. He pinned high hopes that everybody will cooperate in this drive.
He said vote-buying is an “insult” to Jagnaanons, “urging the candidates to not let this opportunity pass so they help to make Jagna new”.
“No need to spend, no need to pay. Vote buying is a big insult to Jagnaanons,” he said.
In conclusion, the candidates came to an agreement and signed the integrity pledge wall.
Allan Salas, a barangay kagawad candidate, said he favored the “One Jagna Kontra Bigay sa Piniliay”. “I agree, what a noble cause to change the face of politics here,” said Salas in a local dialect.
Mrs. Canada and Jose Lavena barangay kagawad reelectionists of barangay Bunga Mar and Bunga Ilaya, respectively, also expressed optimism on the no to vote-buying campaign.
The Kontra Bigay sa Piniliay in Jagna was attended by the local government unit led by Mayor Joseph Ranola, Vice-Mayor Teofisto Pagar and guests like Comelec’s Lilia Tan, Bishop Daniel Patrick Parcon and other religious denomination representatives, DILG regional director Leocadio Trovela, provincial director Jerome Gonzales, MLGOO Atty. Anthony Dalida, Col. Joseph Berondo, who represented provincial director Col Lorenzo Batuan, police chief Major Joseph Lopena, other officials and more than 600 candidates.
Trovela reminded the candidates that the right to vote is a basic right and sacred and appealed to them not to blemish it thru vote-buying. Each of the guests gave their messages of hope and optimism to achieve a vote-buying-free Jagna. (rvo)
