Ibuna mulls running for Iggy’s seat

Poll watchdog says special election to replace the late NegOcc representative not needed

Bacolod City — Grace Ibuna may just run for the House seat vacated by her long time partner, Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. who passed away last January.

She said she will throw her hat in the June 2 special election for the congressional seat representing the fifth district of Negros Occidental if her favored candidate, Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, will not run.

Ibuna, a registered voter of Hacienda Grande Robles in La Castellana, said she believed that Mirasol was capable of continuing the projects implemented by Arroyo in the fifth district. She added that Mirasol also had the “sincerity and word of honor that defines a good man.”

“I don’t want to run but if it’s my destiny and my calling I’ll abide by it. I am only for the welfare of the people of the fifth district who showed so much love for Iggy, that will never leave my heart,” she said.

Mirasol, of the United Negros Alliance, is also seen as the Aquino administration’s candidate for the special elections and is widely believed to be the choice of the UNA.

He was the first mayor of Negros Occidental to openly campaign for President Aquino in the 2010 elections.

But his nephew, Board Member Emilio Yulo III, is also bent on running for congressman of the fifth district. “I will definitely run, unless stopped by divine intervention,” he said.

A mock election was to have been held among political leaders in the fifth district to determine who between Mirasol and Yulo should run in the special elections, but it was called off after Mirasol and Yulo decided to settle the matter between themselves. The fifth district is composed of Himamaylan City and the towns of Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana and Moises Padilla.

Mirasol said he would wait for the decision of UNA on who to field for the 5th district.

“I will respect the decision of Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. who is the chairman of UNA; like a good soldier I will abide by the party’s choice,”he said.

Aside from Mirasol, another UNA aspirant for the fifth congressional seat is Board Member Melvin Ibañez. Special election of Iggy’s replacement a waste, says poll watchdog

Meanwhile, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting said yesterday the planned special election on June 2 is not needed anymore.

In a statement, the election watchdog body said the special election would be a “total waste” since the 2013 elections were less than a year away and would cost the public around P30 million.

“It is highly unconscionable, impractical, and senseless to hold elections for the position left vacant by the death of Rep. Iggy Arroyo. The PPCRV sees no public good or service for such special elections,” the group said.

The PPCRV said the filing of the certificates of candidacy for the 2013 elections would take place from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5, 2012, or “barely four months” after scheduled special elections.

“The position, power and other perks that go with a congressional seat could just be used to promote the campaign of the one elected. A total waste!” the group said.

“The Comelec will have to spend about P30,000,000 to hold said special elections, including a needless drain on its manpower, a distraction to its attention and preparation for the 2013 May elections. A total waste!” it said.

The PPCRV also pointed out that the ban on public works projects will begin in February 2013 “so that whoever wins in the June 2, 2012 special elections cannot implement or even contract for any public works project that will benefit his/her constituents.”

“The PPCRV implores Congress to be sensitive to the real needs of the people and to the wise utilization of public funds,” the group said. /INQUIRER