529,079 Capiceños to elect leaders today

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A total of 529,079 registered voters in Capiz will troop to different voting centers to elect their leaders in the next three years in the local level and six years in the national level.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Capiz is prepared for the elections which is expected to be peaceful and orderly.

The Comelec has recently convened the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) for a final coordinating conference with the ceremonial sendoff of its security forces as among the highlights.

“It is just a ceremonial or symbolic event, basically meant to showcase not only the assets of our security forces or people who will be securing our elections, but also to manifest the readiness of all the stakeholders in holding the May 9 elections,” said lawyer Salud Milagros Villanueva, Capiz Provincial Election Supervisor.

Close to 2,000 security forces from the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) will secure the province’s 464 voting centers, 18 canvassing areas, and provincial and municipal monitoring action centers, while the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will also deploy its water assets.

The PNP’s national operational support units will deploy personnel while the Bureau of Fire Protection will be on standby, “not to mention our quick-reaction forces that are ready to respond in case of any untoward incident,” Villanueva said.

Four municipalities in Capiz have been identified as election areas of concern – Maayon, Tapaz and Dumalag (orange category) and Pilar (yellow category).

Pilar has a history of intense political rivalry while those classified under orange have presence of armed groups, particularly the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Meanwhile, the Capicenos will choose between incumbent Gov. Esteban Evan Nonoy Contreras of the PDP-Laban and arch rival Second District Rep. Fredenil Oto Castro of Lakas-CMD-Liberal Party (LP) coalition for governor.

Reelectionist vice governor James Mitang Magbanua of Castro’s group will face former governor Victor Tanco Sr. of Contreras’ party.

On the other hand, Capiz First District Rep. Emmanuel Billones Sr. (coalition), will defend his reelection bid against former governor and now Pontevedra Mayor Esteban Dodoy Contreras (PDP-Laban) and retired provincial engineer Edgar Agana (Independent).

In the Second District, the bout is between former congresswoman Inday Baby Jane Castro (coalition), board member Eleuper Bulilit Martinez (Independent) and last-termer Mambusao Mayor Leodegario Labao Jr. (PDP-Laban).

Reelectionist Mayor Ronnie Dadivas of LP is facing again his former opponent Rommel Lastimoso (PDP-Laban) for mayor of Roxas City.