ZAMBOANGA CITY — Members of the local legislative body on Tuesday unanimously agreed to sign an agreement to raise the level of campaign dialogue for the 2019 mid-term elections.
The consensus was reached following Tuesday’s privileged speech of Councilor Juan Climaco-Elago II, who appealed to his colleagues to restrain themselves from maligning one another during the campaign period.
“When you resort to name-calling, we make a circus out of our elections,” Elago said, warning the public would merely view them as “ambitious people who are just after the position and salary.”
He also urged members of the local media to report factual news during the campaign to prevent candidates from quarreling.
Elago is seeking reelection as councilor in the second district.
The City Council consists of 16 elected members divided into two districts.
Seeking reelection in the first district are Josephine Pareja, Rodolfo Lim, Marxander Jaime Cabato, Cesar Jimenez Sr., Joselito Macrohon, and Elbert Atilano.
The reelectionists in the second district are Lilibeth Nuño-Belloso, Al-Jihan Edding, Jimmy Villaflores, Benjamin Guingona IV, Miguel Alavar III, and Teodyver Arquiza.
They all agreed to sign an agreement not to engage in negative campaigning, and tasked City Council secretary, lawyer Kenneth Beldua, to draft the document. (R. G. Antonet Go/PNA)
