Defeated SK poll bet takes own life

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

A 22-year-old man who ran for a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) position in the recently concluded elections died of an apparent suicide.

Nonoy, a student, was found unconscious around 2 a.m. on Nov. 2 inside their house in Jaro, Iloilo City.

His father discovered the incident and the victim was later taken to West Visayas State University Medical Center but he did not pull through.

Major Eduardo Siacon, Jr., Iloilo City Police Station 3 chief, confirmed that the victim ran for SK Kagawad but lost.

While police found no sign of foul play in Nonoy’s death, investigators believed there could be other reasons why the victim took his own life.

“One factor was a family problem. His losing the SK polls just aggravated the incident,” Siacon said.

On Thursday, Mayor Jerry Treñas extended his condolences to the victim’s family.

“I am deeply saddened to be told that a candidate for an SK position took his life since he did not make it. Please understand that in an election we submit ourselves to our people and they decide our fate. I also lost once upon a time but I took it as an opportunity to be better and to improve my leadership skills further,” Treñas said in a Facebook post,

He added that losing an election is not the be-all and end-all of everything.

“I am addressing all losing candidates to look at this as a means to improve yourselves and not as a final end to your political career. As your Mayor I will still work with you even if you are not an elected official of the barangay,” he said.