VICE Mayor El Familiaran has debunked criticisms from Abang Lingkod Representative Joseph Paduano that the recent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections was the "dirtiest in history" in Bacolod City.
"It was a peaceful Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Bacolod City," Familiaran said.
"Paduano is also entitled of his opinion, but as far as I can remember, it was one of the peaceful elections in Bacolod. There is no untoward incidents or violence reported in various barangays," Familiaran said.
He said everybody knows that it was a peaceful election in Bacolod which no one filed for a recount.
"I respect his opinion and he is entitled to it," Familiaran added.
Paduano, who organized the mass oath-taking activity at Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center Thursday evening, stated that: "You are all survivors of war. It was the hardest and dirtiest Barangay and SK polls that ever happened in Bacolod City where manipulation and election fraud happened. State resources and machinery were used against those who did not go to the other political camp."
It was outgoing Barangay 33 captain Karren Pineda, who is also an incoming kagawad, who administered their oath of office, and not Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., as earlier announced.
Familiaran said it's the freedom of choice of the barangay officials on who will administer their oath of office.
He said anybody can officiate the oath of office like the barangay captains, lawyers, judges, and executives or local officials.
