By JEN BAYLON
The Commission on Elections in Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) is eyeing placing Negros Oriental under Comelec control for the 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec-NIR Regional Director Lionel Marco Castillano said Negros Oriental has a history of intense political rivalries.
“Last barangay election, the whole province was put under Comelec control. Kung base sa guidelines natin, magiging watch list na ‘yung buong province because there’s a history of being placed under Comelec control,” Castillano said.
Under Comelec control, a security plan will be developed to determine the areas where the authorities should focus.
“Ang purpose lang naman niyang mga classification para sa paggawa namin ng security plan. Malalaman namin kung saan tututok ‘yung mga forces, saan mag-augment,” he added.
When questioned about potential hotspots in Negros Oriental during the upcoming elections, Castillano said the province’s history of political tensions may warrant increased security measures.
Earlier, former Negros Oriental Governor Pryde Henry Teves filed his candidacy for governor in the 2025 polls.
Teves was elected in the 2022 gubernatorial race and served as governor from June to October that year, but the Comelec annulled his proclamation following a recount of votes.
This followed after the late Governor Roel Degamo filed a disqualification case against another candidate, Ruel Degamo.
Ruel was declared a nuisance candidate.
The Comelec ruled that the votes Ruel garnered be counted in favor of Degamo, who was later proclaimed governor after surpassing Teves’ votes.
Degamo was assassinated in his hometown of Pamplona on March 4, 2023, where nine other people were killed, and several others were injured.
Pryde Henry is a well-known government official in Negros Oriental, together with his brother, suspended 3rd District Congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., who allegedly masterminded Degamo’s murder.
Security measures in place
Meanwhile, Castillano assured the public that venues are being closely monitored as candidates file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) until today only.
“We have coordinated with the police since the start of the voter registration until now on the filing of COCs,” Castillano said.
He also noted that the Department of Energy had been alerted to postpone power maintenance schedules during the COC filing following several minor power interruptions in capital Dumaguete City and Siquijor.
Castillano hopes that the last day of COC filing today will be peaceful.
He also encouraged candidates to submit their COCs to a Comelec receiving officer for initial checking to streamline the filing process.
“Nakikita namin na problema dun lang sa name to appear on the ballot, others don’t follow instructions, and we have orders now na ‘yung mga erasure sa COC must be avoided,” he said.
“The purpose of which is to prevent those na ‘yung mga tao natin ang mapagbintangan na nag-e-erase ng mga COC details nila,” he added. / With reports from PNA / JB, WDJ