No police bodyguards for bets on narcolist

CEBU, Philippines — Candidates who are included in President Rodrigo Duterte's narcolist are exempted from getting uniformed escorts for the May midterm elections.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas said in a press conference as ordered by the headquarters, they will not grant request for escorts from those tagged as a narco politician.

"May instruction kami na anybody that will be named by the president included in the list, kaya dili tagaan, bisan pa man murequest. Lain kayo tan-awon nga ginganlan na i-security pa gyud nato. Those named, dili na butangan, and that is definite," Sinas said. (We are directed not to provide security to those included in the President’s list as it would not look good.  Those named will not get an escort and that’s definite.)

Candidates not named by Duterte may file a request through the Commission on Elections for additional security if the candidate sees there is imminent threat to his life.

Sinas said that the Philippine National Police intelligence body will then validate if there is persistent danger.

Once approved, PNP will delegate two uniformed personnel only.

If found out that a candidate has more than two uniformed personnel as security escorts, the poll bet will be stripped of his privilege for security.

The additional security escort will also face sanctions. He will be relieved from his post and his service firearm will be recalled.

For San Fernando town reelectionist Lakambini Reluya, Sinas recommends that she should apply for more than two security escorts and they are ready to grant her request.

Lakambini her husband, San Fernando town councilor Ricardo Reluya Jr., and four others were ambushed on Jan. 22 while traversing Sitio Linao, Talisay City.

Sinas said considering they have only arrested two gunmen, it is possible that Lakambini is still facing threat.

"There is a threat. And wala pa gyud nadakpan ang uban suspect. I would recommend na muapply siya. If muapply siya tagaan gyud siya namo," Sinas said. (We have not arrested the other suspects.  I would recommend that she should apply and we will grant her request.)

ESPINA RUNNING

Meanwhile, Partido Barug’s Cebu City councilor bet, Erik Miguel Espina is pushing through with his candidacy for the 2019 midterm polls.

Yesterday, during the press conference, he officially announced that he will pursue his plan in running for public service.

It was also tackled in an interview series for CEBU VOTE, election coverage of The FREEMAN and Banat News, #KnowYourCandidate.

Espina said he has to serve the public with good governance under the local party, Partido-Barug which was formed by former mayor Michael Rama.

“I will serve as the eyes, the voice, and the courage for a greater Cebu City. And why not? Our people deserve it!” portion of his press release reads.

To recall, on December 14, 2018, Espina announced that he will be withdrawing his candidacy following to the reinstatement of city councilor James Anthony Cuenco.

Cuenco has been suspended from service over alleged involvement in the misuse of P3.3 million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation of his father, former south district congressman Antonio Cuenco.

Espina was appointed by the president to serve the city for at least five months.

With his recent announcement, Espina’s ally, councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia is happy with the development considering that Partido-Barug will be in full force in 2019 May elections.

“Well, we are very happy nga karon makaingon na gyud si Mayor Osmeña nga dili nami minus one. So we are complete and we are going to sing a full tune and we are going to win in May 2019, tuloy ang laban,” he said.

If Espina is elected as city councilor, he will sponsor an ordinance that would allow the city government to give financial aid amounting to P12 million to every barangay for infrastructure projects.

By giving infrastructure funding to barangays, it would help address the problem in flooding, traffic, and other related concerns.

He said he is an advocate of clean governance by serving the public equally regardless of their political affiliations.

“Maybe we should give P12 million in terms of infrastructure projects to every barangay without denominating what political party they belong to. My personal philosophy is, I don’t care what are the political parties in the barangay,” Espina said.

He even said he introduced the Malasakit program of the president to all without minding their political colors, a good example of fair governance.

Espina also envisioned to establish Cebu City College where everyone is welcome to study. He said it is not impossible for the city government to construct its own school, it’s just a matter of setting priorities. (FREEMAN)