By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer

ILOILO CITY, Philippines–An outgoing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chair was shot dead in her home in Lambunao town, Iloilo province, Tuesday evening, the first violent incident in the Visayas involving a youth council candidate less than a week before the barangay (village) and SK elections.

Bona Marie Catedral, 22, died from a gunshot wound in the left chest after she was shot at close range at around 6:30 p.m. at her family’s residence in Barangay Jayubo, 15 kilometers from the town proper. Lambunao is around 48 kilometers north of Iloilo City.

The victim is the fourth of five children of Lambunao Vice Mayor Pancho Catedral. Her remains were brought to the Solano Funeral Homes in Lambunao.

Investigators are still verifying reports that an unidentified gunman approached and shot the victim as she was about to close a window of their house.

Senior Inspector Elmer Armada, Lambunao police chief, said they were still investigating the circumstances of the shooting.

Armada would not confirm if politics was being eyed as angle in the shooting. He also refused to reveal the probable motives of the crime saying they were still in the early stage of their investigation.

By Tina Santos
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines–While anti-government groups are trying to find ways to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, activist priest Robert Reyes has chosen “exorcism” to “rid the government of evil spirits.”

Reyes, also known as the “running priest” for jogging in support of social causes, performed exorcism rites on Monday in front of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) building in Manila, and also prayed for peaceful and credible barangay (village) elections on October 29.

By Inquirer Northern Luzon Bureau, Southern Luzon Bureau, Central Luzon Desk, Mindanao Bureau

MANILA, Philippines–While the enthusiasm generated by the national elections in May has died down, candidates for the Oct. 29 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections have been trying to perk up the electorate by using time-tested campaign gimmicks.

Some candidates have resorted to merrymaking — complete with Ati-Atihan dancers and motorcades of jeepneys, pedicabs and tricycles — to introduce themselves to voters.

Others opted to conduct an anti-rabies vaccination campaign and free measles immunization for children.

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By Charlie Señase
Inquirer Mindanao Bureau

COTABATO CITY–Acting Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Resurreccion Borra has reminded provincial, city, and town poll officials to disseminate resolutions pertaining to the October 29 barangay (village) and youth polls.

“It is imperative that candidates in the Barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan elections and the public in general are aware of the Comelec guidelines,” said city election registrar Arlan Mangelen in paraphrasing Borra’s latest directive.

Significantly raised was Comelec Resolution 8230 which pertains to the use of campaign and other propaganda materials of which a candidate is only allowed to spend P3 per voter.

Mangelen said poster sizes should not exceed two feet by three feet and must only be displayed within the designated common poster areas.

The Comelec official also reminded candidates of the October 18 deadline for the filing of their certificates of candidacy.

While the liquor and gun bans are being enforced until November 13, the Comelec has set the campaign period from October 19 to 27.

By Inquirer

DAGUPAN CITY–A candidate for village chief was shot dead in front of his furniture shop in Tayug, Pangasinan, on Tuesday even as more areas were placed under police watch in the run up to the barangay and youth elections on Oct. 29.

Tayug police chief Supt. Sotero Soriano Jr. said Jaime Tolentino, 57, who filed his candidacy for barangay captain of Carriedo in Tayug on Monday, died instantly after men aboard a motorcycle shot him at about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Tolentino’s 24-year-old son, Marlon, who was sawing a piece of wood in their shop, was wounded when a stray bullet hit his right leg.

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