CEBU CITY — The start of the campaign period here Friday was generally peaceful except for an incident in Barangay Carreta where two rival parties crossed paths and reportedly exchanged heated words.
Cebu City Police Director Senior Supt. Joel Doria said they will intensify their monitoring of the candidates’ activities, especially those of their supporters who are prone to intimidation.
“We will monitor the activities of the supporters dahil pag nagkasalubong iyan, magkainitan (there will be tension once they meet), and we have to prevent that,” Doria said.
The more than 700 candidates in Cebu City on Thursday took an oath and signed a covenant in their respective barangays to uphold peace during the election period.
The signing of the peace covenant was initiated by the city police, in coordination with the Commission on Elections to ensure a safe and orderly election on May 14.
Residents of the city woke up on Friday to the loud sound of megaphones and beating of drums as candidates vying for positions in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan began their door-to-door campaign sorties here as early as 6 a.m.
With the loud playing of campaign jingles and drums announcing their arrival, candidates and their supporters knocked on doors and handed out campaign materials as they introduced themselves to their constituents.
The early morning campaigning, however, did not sit well with most of the residents who did not open their doors and complained about the noise that disrupted their sleep, expressing their displeasure on social media.
In other barangays, including in Inayawan and Bulacao, candidates kicked off their campaign with motorcades of private vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles, and pedicabs.
“We believe in the saying ‘the early bird catches the worm.’ This is why we are campaigning early,” village councilor aspirants in Barangay Cogon-Pardo said in Cebuano.
While some candidates campaigned with lots of noise and fanfare, other wannabes just went out on their own without any supporter in tow, handing out mimeographed leaflets to their target voters.
“We don’t have any budget for such lavish activities like what the other political parties are doing,” a candidate for village chief in Barangay Basak said in Cebuano. “I hope the people would see the contrast. We only offer our sincerity to do public service.” (PNA)
