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From Camino Nuevo and Canelar, reports about alleged vote buying attempts through the promised grant of loans and insurance coverage have spread to Boalan and Ayala and several other barangays in both east and west coasts of the city. Boalan Barangay Chair Benjamin Limen was the latest barangay official to come out in the open assailing the practice of a new political group that has been going around his village offering P10, 000 loans or P10, 000 accident insurance coverage to his poor constituents in exchange of votes in the forthcoming elections. Limen presented to media yesterday Ernesto Alvarez, one of the several residents who have been lured into accepting an insurance coverage of P10, 000 allegedly coming from the standard bearer of the new political group. “Ay dale daw canamon accident insurance de un ano, win or lose el di ila candidato. Despues si nuay cosa pasa conel di mi palmilya dentro de un ano, dale canamon el cash equivalent de P10, 000 anda lang na opisina conele”, Alvarez recounted. Alvarez admitted to have signed the form but said the same was taken by the new political group’s representative after it was filled up and signed last Friday, April 27. Limen said Alvarez sought his assistance after realizing that he has nothing left to show as proof if and when something would happen to his family, as the form was taken back by the “insurance agent”. Limen said several other residents in Alvarez’ neighborhood was duped into filling up the form but would not come out in the open to reveal their stories. Alvarez would not know the identity of the person who approached them but said he would recognize the person once he sees him. The same Kasangga form, which was used for the promised grant of P10, 000 loans to Camino Nuevo and Canelar residents, was also used in the insurance offer to residents in Boalan. The Boalan barangay chair has alerted his tanods and volunteers to be in the lookout for the said “insurance agent”. In Ayala, similar offers for loans and insurance coverage in exchange of votes for the new political party were made to poor residents. Ayala barangay chairman Alexis Ortega said he was also approached by some residents inquiring about the veracity of the loan and insurance offers. Mayor Celso Lobregat has cautioned the public not to fall prey into such acts of deception. He also lamented the fact that his rival has turned the tables on him by saying that the vote buying attempt is a black propaganda perpetrated by the administration. “How can this be black propaganda when it’s happening everyday in so many barangays?”, Lobregat asked. “They are now resorting to promises
for the grant of lots, insurance and loans, I thought they claim to be the hope of the new Zamboanga?”. He added that even in the outing of the members of the local police, his rival also promised the grant of land and housing to police members if and when he wins in the election. — AB
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