By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. recently advised those running in the upcoming May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to refrain from using personal attacks, insults, and violence during the campaign period.

“The coming elections should be peaceful, friendly, and no politics of violence,” the governor said. “It is only [an] election, after this, you will still be neighbors in the same community.”

He also warned mayors not to endorse candidates for barangay positions since, according to the law, it should be non-political and non-partisan.

In addition, Marañon urged the public, if mayors endorse a barangay candidate, they should file a complaint with the Commission on Elections.

The filing of certificates of candidacy will be from April 14 to 20, while the campaign period is scheduled from May 4 to 12.

Following the polls, all candidates must file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) by June 13./DGB, WDJ