San Fernando opposition bets deny involvement in poll-related violence

CEBU, Philippines - San Fernando town opposition candidates were in full force yesterday to strongly denounce allegations of incumbent officials that they are involved in an election-related harassments or violence.

“The people in San Fernando know me better that I am a peaceful person. I am not a violent person contrary sa mga pasangil sa akong kaatbang,” says Vice Mayor Antonio “Abe” Canoy, who is running for mayor against Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya.

Canoy, who had served as the town’s mayor for nine years, also said there is no need for the town to be put under Comelec control dispelling allegations coming from Reluya’s camp that there were citing of armed men in the town.

“Siya mao’y incumbent unya siya ang gusto nga ipaubos sa Comelec control ang San Fernando nga unta ang opposition man gyud unta ang mupasiugda niana. But for me, I don’t think so that our town be put under Comelec control,” said Canoy, whose slate includes the incumbent officials, including his vice mayoralty candidate.

Several barangay officials and councilors also countered the accusations of the camp of Reluya, saying the mayor’s men were the ones harassing their supporters and not the other way around.

Canoy also denied reports that he is distributing 340 bags of cement coming from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to some of the residents.

“Kana dili gyud na tinu-od. Nagpataka na lang gyud na sila og pamasangil. Wa gani ko kahibalo nga naa diay gihatag ang gobernador ug mga semento,” the former mayor said.

Canoy admitted though that he distributed more than 4,500 bags of cement coming from Taiheyo Cement plant which is a donation. The cement that the governor gave allegedly came from Apo Cement.

“Dako kaayo nang letra sa sako nga donated by Taiheyo cement. So dili na mahitabo mga gikan to sa gobernador,” Canoy said, lamenting that too much politics and mudslinging in the town prompted him to call for a press conference for the first time since he entered politics. —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB (THE FREEMAN)