Baguio barangay shows way to hold peaceful elections

By Bong Cayabyab

BAGUIO CITY - If all politicians will only follow the lead of Barangay Pinsao Pilot Project here, the Commission on Elections would have nothing to monitor for cheating, violence and over-spending during elections.

The election campaign period in this barangay started without a big bang or festivities as compared to other areas in nearby barangays and the rest of the country.

The day was greeted with fireworks display or posters indiscriminately posted on every nook and cranny not even sparing tree trunks and branches.

Politicians spend a lot of money and resources by giving away free t-shirts, tokens, food and drinks as "bribes" as part of their strategy to win.

But, in Pinsao Pilot Project it is different. Even the poor can run because everyone is given equal political campaign rights and the campaign need not be expensive.

A covenant signed by the punong barangay, kagawad and the sangguniang kabataan candidates agreed to protect the environment by prohibiting posters and parapharnelia pasted or hanged along posts, walls and trees.

The candidates also agreed to be non-partisan giving equal rights by putting all the names of the candidates in alphabetical order in a specially designed posting board divided equally among the candidates later set up in three designated areas within the barangay approved by the Commission on Elections.

Their agreement prohibited giving bribes, T-shirts, tokens,gifts, food and drinks to residents.

Joining drinking binges with their constituents was not allowed including the prohibition of any candidate to campaign "under the influence of liquor" to earn respect of the community.

Candidate posters were agreed to be posted only within their residence while sample ballots were not allowed to be printed during the elections.

Punong barangay Sotero Dulaycan and Edgar Kapawen Sr. who also held the position, both running for the top position headed the signing of the covenant participated in by 19 aspiring barangay kagawads and one unopposed candidate running for SK chairman.

They agreed that there shall be no political mudslinging and their polyetos will not exceed one-half of a regular coupon bond.
The candidates also agreed to campaign together at the same time during house-to-house sorties.

"We think this is the most honorable way to campaign. Less expense on our part while earning the respect of our constituents," said Dulaycan and Kapawen.

The barangay kagawads who are slugging out for the top eight positions are (in alphabetical order) George Adawe Sr.,William Baden, Alex Bangcawayan, Bernardo Batay-an, Gabriel Bestoton, Rosendo Castro, Monte Cawiding, Gertrude Coy-om, Jessie Culos, Patrict Dangatan, Willy Esoen, Roy Fagayan, Wilma Fangloy, Agustina Ignacio, Helen Longchaya, Virginia Malag, Romilda Palacsa, Romulo Soriano and Mary Quanzo.

Respected elder Cristy Lardizabal showed her dismay upon learning that only one party representing the SK was running un-opposed showing that the youth were not interested in a political exercise to serve their community.