Negros Occidental holds special poll to replace late Rep. Arroyo

Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

BACOLOD CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is all set to hold the special election in Negros Occidental’s fifth district this Saturday to select the replacement of Representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo who died of liver cancer in January.

Two candidates are vying for the congressional seat in the district composed of Himamaylan City and the towns of Binalbagan, Hinigaran, Isabela, La Castellana and Moises Padilla.

They are Negros Occidental Board Member Emilio Yulo III, 48, of the Nacionalista Party (NP) and his uncle Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, 58, of the Liberal Party (LP).

Mirasol enjoys the support of President Benigno Aquino III, the LP, Nationalist People’s Coalition, the local party United Negros Alliance headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., and four mayors in the district. These are Mayors Hermilo Aguilar of Hinigaran, Francis Malabor of Isabela, Alberto Nicor Jr. of La Castellana, and Francisco Nazareno of Moises Padilla.

Arroyo’s partner, businesswoman Grace Ibuna is also backing up the bid of Mirasol whom she described as capable of fulfilling the vision of Arroyo for the district.

Yulo, on the other hand, has the support of Himamaylan Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon and several influential families in the fifth district, including Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña and former board member Enrique Montilla.

On Thursday, Mirasol held a grand rally in Himamaylan City. Yulo didn’t hold a miting de avance because, he said he could not afford one.

But Yulo said he was optimistic he would make history for winning the election on a shoestring budget.

Police are enforcing a liquor and gun ban in the district.

Lawyer Dennis Ausan, Comelec director for Western Visayas, said he expected the special elections to go smoothly. The votes will be manually counted and the proclamation of the winner is expected on Sunday, said Elections Provincial Supervisor Jessie Suarez.