Withdrawal of gubernatorial bet eases Abra political rivalry

BANGUED, Abra — The withdrawal of a gubernatorial candidate has eased the intense political rivalry in this province.

Abra police and election officers bared this saying the municipal mayor, who earlier filed his candidacy for the province’s gubernatorial post, decided to officially withdraw his certificate of candidacy against incumbent Abra Gov. Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin.

He said this was for the sake of peaceful elections during the coming May 2010 elections.

Three-term Lagangilang Mayor Lizardo Sinugo Jr. informed the Commission on Elections in the Cordillera of his desire to back out from the gubernatorial race to prevent the expected intense political rivalry in the province during the campaign period.

Because of this, Bersamin will now be unopposed for the said position in the elections.
As this developed, Sinugo expressed his family’s heartfelt gratitude to all his supporters and friends who stayed with him after he filed his candidacy for the gubernatorial post.

Lawyer Julius Torres, Comelec regional director in the Cordillera, said their central office has been notified to remove the name of Sinugo in the list of candidates for governor to prevent confusion among the electorate.

“If Sinugo’s name will not be deleted in the ballot for the automated elections," Torres said, "all votes that will be cast for him will not be considered in the canvassing of votes even if he will win the elections since he had already filed his sworn intention to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.”

Meanhile, Chief Supt. Orlando Pestano, director of the Police Regional Office, said the withdrawal of Sinugo was a breakthrough in the consolidated effort of government and the stakeholders to have clean, honest, orderly, and peaceful elections. – By Dexter A. See