PUBLIC HEARING. Local officials and other stakeholders attend the public hearing in Bacong, Negros Oriental on Wednesday (June 28, 2023) on the proposed deferment of the Barangay and SK elections in Negros Oriental. The Commission on Elections expressed satisfaction over the peaceful and smooth flow of the public hearings which will end on Thursday (June 29, 2023). (Photo courtesy of the Diocesan Electoral Board)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Police are probing the death of an event host in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental at sundown Wednesday, just shortly after the second day of the public hearings on the deferment of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in the province ended.
An initial police report said the victim, Junar Barios, was shot to death by motorcycle-riding suspects in Barangay Malabugas, Bayawan City.
Negros Oriental acting police provincial director Col. Alex Recinto told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that they are investigating all possible angles in the killing of Barios.
This early, Recinto said there are no indications that the shooting-to-death of the event host/vlogger was political, as suggested by some quarters.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the conduct of the public hearings for the proposed deferment of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental proceeded without any significant hitches.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, acting regional election supervisor of the Comelec in Central Visayas, told the PNA that except for time delays at the start of the hearings, no other untoward incidents were reported to him at the end of this day.
“I am happy to note that there is no prevailing fear among stakeholders who openly expressed their sentiments, whether in favor or against the postponement,” Castillano said.
The public hearing will end on Thursday, with consolidated reports to be submitted to the Comelec en banc afterward to guide them in their decision, he added.
In some areas, mayors, vice mayors, and councilors were present to air their side, as well as other sectors who submitted their respective position papers.
Castillano said he is satisfied with the turnout of the people in attending the public hearings, which he described as a sign of their interest in the barangay and SK elections.
He and Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino visited Bacong town and saw that local government officials were present in the public hearing.
In Valencia, many people attended the public hearing although he missed seeing the mayor, Castillano said.
The Comelec official reiterated his call to Negros Oriental constituents and other stakeholders to attend the last public hearing so they will have their chance to present their sides and sentiments on whether the BSKE should be postponed to another date. (PNA)
