PDP-Laban sees huge win in barangay polls

CEBU, Philippines — Barug-Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP)-Laban top official Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella believes that barangays affiliated with them are going to win this coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

He told The FREEMAN that as long as the 65 allied barangays are consistent in supporting the president’s advocacies, which is to suppress illegal drugs and the fight against corruption in the government, then the people would want them to be seated in the position.

“I think if they will maintain that, there is a chance of winning because as you can see the president has those advocacies,” Labella said.

He said the party has been encouraging the barangays that have been loyal with them to extend the advocacies of the president to the grass root level.

In fact, every now and then, there are a number of barangay officials that visited Labella’s office asking on the matter of accountability and procedural system of government.

“Well of course, it’s really a big challenge. As long as our candidates that we are sympathetic with would adhere with the advocacies and let the people understand the value of public accountability, I think they will have a good chance (of winning),” he said.

Labella said the challenges exist because it’s election time.

The 65 barangays are Apas, Busay, Carreta, Ermita, Hipodromo, Kamagayan, Kamputhaw, Lahug, Lorega San Miguel, Luz, Parian, Sambag I, Sambag II, San Antonio, San Roque, Santa Cruz, Santo Niño, Tinago, T. Padilla, Zapatera.

Other includes Adlaon, Agsungot, Bacayan, Binaliw, Budlaan, Cambinocot, Guba, Lusaran, Mabini, Malubog, Paril, Pit-Os, Pulang Bato, San Jose, Sirao, Taptap, Basak Pardo, Basak San Nicolas, Bulacao, Calamba, Cogon Pardo, Duljo Fatima, Inayawan, Mambaling.

The list also includes Pahina San Nicolas, Pasil, Poblacion Pardo, Punta Princesa, Quiot, San Nicolas Proper, Sawang Calero, Suba, Tisa, Bonbon, Buot-Taop, Kalunasan, Pamutan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sapangdaku, Sinsin, Sudlon I, Sudlon II, Tabunan, Tagba-o and Toong.

The other 15 barangays that are reportedly allied with Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan camp headed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña include Tejero, Kalubihan, Guadalupe, Day-as, Kasambagan, Talamban, Banilad, Babag, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo, Cogon Ramos, Buhisan, Capitol Site and Pahina Central.

Labella said the constituents will decide who are those candidates deserve the barangay post.

Osmeña reportedly wants to change the political landscape in the barangay level so that he can control the city council.

He has been very vocal that he wants Association of Barangay Council president, Tisa village chief Phillip Zafra, kicked out to gain majority in the City Council.

Once they will get the majority, they can pass project and programs which is for the development of the city, he said.

The filing of certificate of candidacy for barangay and SK elections starts on April 14. —GAN (FREEMAN)