AFTER allegations that several Laoag City barangay officials have been campaigning for re-electionist Laoag Mayor Michael V. Fariñas, the Laoag City election officer and local government officer clarified that these village officials are allowed to express their support for any candidate in the forthcoming midterm election. In an interview with the city election officer Atty. Fidel Gines, he said barangay officials are allowed to campaign but they should not become watchers or members of the Board of Election Inspectors in the coming polls. City interior and local government officer Dr. Reynaldo Garo then allowed the barangay officials to campaign after hearing of the city election office’s explanation. The issue became a hot topic after it was observed that barangay officials, mostly in Laoag City, have become very vocal in supporting several candidates vying for local office and that this might become a ground for their removal as barangay officials. But the city election and local government offices have come out to announce that these officials are allowed to support whomever they want. Reacting to this, Fariñas expressed surprise when the barangay officials who had thrown their support for him were questioned. ”Awan la kuma iti waya dan nga agpili iti kandidato da? Ken naiwaragawagawen ti radyo, telebisyon ken pagiwarnak a nawaya dagiti barangay officials nga agkampanya,” Fariñas said. He added that his political opponents should just observe the election rules and regulations instead of questioning whom the barangay officials would support. Meanwhile, Gines advised the voting public to write the complete name of their preferred candidates in the ballot for their votes not to be nullified. He further explained that first names, nicknames and last names of candidates are also allowed provided they don’t share similar names with other candidates. In case a ballot contains only the last name shared by two or more candidates, the incumbent candidate would be credited with the vote. Dominic B. dela Cruz
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