By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Pontevedra Mayor Jose Benito Alonso said he supports the holding of barangay elections instead of appointing barangay officials.
Alonso issued this statement amid reports reaching his office that there are persons who lost in the last barangay elections going around recruiting people to join their group.
The mayor said these persons are spreading rumors that they will be appointed to barangay positions.
“How can they be the ones who will be appointed when they lost in the last barangay elections?” Alonso asked.
He added, while the barangay elections will be costly, it will reflect the sentiments of the people as to who they want to serve as barangay officials.
However, he added, in case village officials will be subject to appointment, it would be better if mayors are given the authority to choose. “We know who are the barangay officials doing their job,” said Alonso.
Political talk is rife with the possibility of the village polls, scheduled for October this year, being altogether canceled. Supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte have broached the idea that he could instead appoint village officials instead of going through a costly election.
Meanwhile, the mayor, who is temporarily holding office at the town’s women’s shelter, said the new municipal hall will be completed before the year ends.
He said, aside from his office, other offices had to transfer in the meantime due to the construction of the new municipal hall funded by a P60 million loan acquired by his brother, former Pontevedra mayor and incumbent Provincial Board Member Joemar Alonso./WDJ