The election for the top posts in the barangay polls at Makati City’s exclusive residential subdivisions is already over and the winners known.
Commission on Elections records show that the candidates for barangay captain in those villages are running unopposed.
Just one vote
They are Constancia Lichauco of Barangay Bel-Air; Martin John Pio Arenas, Dasmariñas; Evangeline Manotok, Forbes Park; Armando Padilla, Magallanes; Ernesto Moya, San Lorenzo; and Leonard Alandy Dy, Urdaneta.
“Technically, they are already considered winners. Each of them needs just one vote, which the candidate himself can cast,” said Anthonette Soriano-Aceret, election officer of Makati’s first district, where all the six villages are located.
Bel-Air, San Lorenzo and Urdaneta make up the Makati Central Business District, while Forbes, Dasmariñas and Magallanes are located across Edsa, adjacent to the upscale Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
Low turnout
To become official winners, Aceret said, the six candidates have to wait for the board of canvassers to finish the vote count, certify the results, and proclaim them the victors.
The candidates for the top post in the Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the six villages are also running unopposed.
Aceret said the turnout of candidates for SK positions was low.
In Magallanes, Urdaneta and Dasmariñas, only three teenagers filed certificates of candidacy for SK councilor. Bel-Air had only five filers.
There are seven seats on the youth council, so the filers are automatic winners, Aceret said.
The unfilled seats will remain vacant until the next SK elections, she added.
“We encouraged them, but it is [their] personal decision,” Aceret said. “Maybe they want to focus on their studies, jobs or businesses.”