Some candidates vying for elective positions in Baguio will have more advantage in terms of campaigning as several of them are also being endorsed by adoptive political parties or coalitions.
Among them are Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, who is being carried by the teams of Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Rep. Marquez Go, who belong to different political parties.
For councilor, common candidates are independent candidate Peter Fianza who is being carried by Partido Federal ng Pilipinas-Baguio led by former vice mayor Edison Bilog and the Magalong camp; incumbent Councilor Philian Weygan-Alan by the Magalong and Go camps; Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Levy Lloyd Orcales by the Magalong and Domogan camps led by former mayor and congressman Mauricio Domogan; Leandro Yangot Jr., by the Domogan and Go camps; and John Gaerlan by the Bilog and Go camps.
A prelude to the local campaign elections started on March 23 with a unity walk and signing of integrity pledge, and a covenant signing on March 24 organized by the Episcopal Diocese of Baguio.
The integrity pledge contains the candidates’ commitment to respect the sanctity of the elections and reject use of violence, force, or threats to influence the outcome of the elections.
The candidates also committed not to mislead or misinform the public through use of false, manipulated, or stolen information.
They also committed to follow the minimum public health standards during the campaign.
Meanwhile, in line with the Commission on Elections’ commitment to provide an avenue for candidates to discuss their platforms of governance, City Election Officer Reyman Solbita said Comelec partnered with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas for the holding of a debate.
The debate, which will be held at the Baguio Country Club will be announced as soon as the hotel’s management confirms the available dates. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
May 5, 2024
