Special barangay polls in Zamboanga, Bohol generally peaceful—Padaca

MANILA, Philippines—The special barangay elections held in Zamboanga City and Bohol on Monday were proceeding peacefully, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Grace Padaca.

Padaca told Radyo Inquirer 990AM in an interview Monday morning that except for minor glitches, everything was general peaceful  in the conduct of the polls.

“We had a security briefing with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Task Force Zamboanga on Sunday and there was no single area of concern here,” said Padaca.

Padaca added that a total of 291 candidates were vying for positions in 98 barangays in Zamboanga.

“The only problem here is the transportation of election materials to evacuation centers affected by the Zamboanga siege,” said Padaca.

With regards to Bohol, which was devastated by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in October, Padaca  said many barangays there have uncontested candidates running for barangay captain.

“Power interruption is still a problem in Bohol but we have provided them with rechargeable lamps. In Zamboanga there is no problem with brownout,” Padaca said.

Padaca said the compensation of teachers, who served as board of election inspectors, has long been ready and available as early as the regular barangay election held on October 28.

In an interview with the media on Sunday, Comelec  Commissioner Sixto Brillantes said the people of Zamboanga should use this opportunity (election) to recover and continue to make Zamboanga beautiful and for Bohol to recover as well.