VICE gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco is asking the Commission on Election to order Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale to postpone the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo this election season.
Soco also appealed to Magpale to observe ‘delicadeza’ and not use the provincial government’s tourism program to promote her vice gubernatorial bid.
“Why hold it in the middle of the heat of election. And this activity has been perceived by the acting governor as being used before by the suspended governor for political ends,” Soco said referring to accusations, Gov. Gwen Garcia used the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo for political grandstanding.
“We do not want anybody to have an undue advantage over the other,” he added.
Magpale however said that the Suroy Suroy Sugbo has been institutionalized by a Provincial Board ordinance passed in September 2012.
“Besides he (Soco) has nothing to fear. He can even attend provided that he pays. Dili pareha kaniadto nga libre siya,” [Unlike before that he can join for free.] she said.
Magpale reiterated that the participants of the program are all balikbayans and emphasized that they cannot vote.
“So I cannot benefit from it,” she said.
Magpale also said that she might not even attend the scheduled tour because of prior engagements.
Magpale said she has maintained her delicadeza and instead hit Soco for distributing calendars with his photo that taken during the Suroy Suroy Sugbo Explore the Midwest in June 2012.
“I have basis to say, I am not like him. I have delicadeza,” she said.
Soco submitted the letter request addressed to Comelec Provincial Supervisor Eddie Aba yesterday morning. It was received by Comelec officer Ferdinand Gujilde.
Gujilde said that if there are government activities that incumbents who are also candidates could join and that can be considered ‘equity of the incumbent’.
He also added that there are no Comelec guidelines on candidates joining government activities but he said that it is more on how they observe ‘propriety’./with reports from Correspondent Renan Alangilan