DAVAO CITY (May 14) — Candidates from different parts of the region started hauling voters as early as 6:00 in the morning, bring them to the different polling precincts for the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Region XI, has 2.8 million registered voters, they started to flock in 3,822 established and 1,618 clustered precincts at 7a.m.
There are a total of 2,573 candidates for barangay captains in Davao Region and 21,252 for barangay councilman. For SK, Comelec said there 2,982 for SK chairmen and 10,355 SK kagawads.
In the different parts of Davao Region, many public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) were hired to ensure voters get out to vote.
Political supporters guide the voters from their villages to a waiting vehicle, to ensure they are well facilitated to casts their votes.
At Daniel Aguinaldo National High School, in Matina, the wooden chair for President Rodrigo Duterte was prepared yesterday, The President is expected to cast his vote anytime today.
In Catalunan Grande, Davao City, Reelectionist Barangay Captain January Navarez-Duterte, wife of former Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and the daughter-in-law of the President, is running unopposed, but 22 candidates are vying for seven seats at the Barangay Council.
In Davao del Norte, report of massive voting buying through hiring excessive poll watchers at P500 per person were reported.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez cast his vote at around 7:30 in the morning at the University of Mindanao College Campus, in Barangay Magugpo South, Tagum City.
In Banaybanay town, Davao Oriental, Mayor Adalia Lopez reported a “ready made ballots” were reportedly recovered from the house of a certain Mr. Tambuang, in Purok Niyugan, in barangay Piso.
At Piso, the brother of Commission on Elections XI (Comelec) Regional Director Remlane Tambuang is running for barangay captain.
Director Tambuang, is Lopez’ ex-husband.Tambuang was transferred in Region 12 last week.
In many areas in the region, reports are rife, packed food stuff flooded eve of the elections.
Voters were given rice and sardines, coffee, noddles and ranging from P500 to 1,000.
In Basilan, reports have it, a supporter slapped PPCRV watchers for siding another candidate in Barangay Market of Isabela City.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has called on Dabawenyos to go out and vote for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
Sara stressed “Gi-awhag nako ang tanan nga magboto karon Lunes (I call on everybody to vote this Monday. Use your right to suffrage and vote wisely.”
Duterte-Carpio reminded the public that the barangay officials are the first authorities to run to when problems arise in the grassroots.
Davao City, which has 182 barangays, has the most number of established precincts at 6,483 and 2,733 clustered precincts; Davao del Sur has 232 barangays and has 2,430 established and 1,160 clustered precincts; Davao Occidental with 105 barangays has 1,184 established and 515 clustered precincts; Davao del Norte with 223 barangays has 3,822 established and 1,618 clustered precincts; Compostela Valley with 237 barangays has 2,869 established and 1,271clustered precincts; and, Davao Oriental with 183 barangays has 2,185 established and 1,009 clustered precincts.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
