Due to "Intense Political Rivalry" Siquijor tagged poll watchlist area

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The entire province of Siquijor has been declared an election watchlist area due to potential intense political rivalry in the May 13 polls.

Outgoing OIC provincial election supervisor Rafael Orillana and OIC provincial police director Sr. Supt. Primitivo Tabujara confirmed this matter last Friday following the signing of a peace covenant by majority of the candidates for various elective positions in the province.

Elsewhere in the province, similar activities for the signing of a peace covenant were conducted simultaneously. Besides, Comelec and police officials, also present to witness the signing were members of the Diocesan Electoral Board of the Diocese of Dumaguete, led by its convenor, Msgr. Julius Heruela.

According to Tabujara, the potential intense political rivalry especially among candidates at the provincial level has been validated by the regional Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center.

Siquijor province has a history of election-related violent incidents (ERVIs) in the 2010 presidential elections and even during the Sangguniang Kabataan polls, Tabujara said.

The police official however said that, since the start of the election period this year, there has been reported ERVIs to date. He assured the public though that the police in this island-province is now prepared and that augmentation troops from the Police Regional Office-7 have already been deployed here.

Orillana, for his part, hoped that the May 13 elections in Siquijor will be peaceful and orderly and not marred by any violence at all. He said there is nothing to worry about so far because security matters and the political climate here has been "normal."

The Comelec official however admitted there has been intense political rivalry in Siquijor but that its intensity has not been characterized by armed or violent threats, and only in terms of "lawful election propaganda."

The peaceful and orderly attendance of majority of the political candidates at the provincial level in Friday's signing of a peace covenant in Siquijor was a clear indication of the prevailing security conditions in the island, said Orillana.

Candidates for the position of governor, vice-governor, congressman, Provincial Board members and other local elective positions attended the activity Friday at the gymnasium of the provincial capital town, also named Siquijor.

The candidates for the lone congressional seat are incumbent Governor Orlando Fua Jr of Lakas and businessman Jay Pernes of the Liberal Party.

For governor, the fight is between the governor's brother, Provincial Board Member Orville Fua of Lakas and shipping businessman Zaldy Villa of the LP.

For vice governor, PB Member Arturo Pacatang of Lakas is pitted against singer-actor Fernando "Dingdong" Avanzado of LP. (FREEMAN)