Election-day sidelights
Sunday and yesterday marked the end for political jingles of candidates and "blocktime" programs or paid-airtime of those who had the resources to pay political rates of three radio networks, Bombo Radyo, Aksyon Radyo and RMN 774 here.
What was heard this time were volunteer-reporters who provided back-up to regular reporters in the special non-stop coverage provided.
From the break of dawn, situationer reports were fielded that later heard problems ranging from the most trivial to the most crucial. For instance, one "breaking news" heard the tardy-teacher in Lapaz whose excuse was a headache that caused the delay in the start of the official voting in his area. Then came the report on missing names in the voters' list and a missing barangay captain who was reportedly picked up by armed men in Estancia, Iloilo.
As of press time, the missing-person report remains as such with no police operation launched to ascertain the veracity of the incident or to locate his whereabouts.
Sample ballots distributed within polling precincts proved to be both useful and otherwise. Not only these littered and trashed the polling areas, it also proved as the basic tool in yesterday's vote-buying. It was also the source of discovery for candidates who were either supported to the end by partymates or junked in the final process of the campaign.
Voting officially started at 7 a.m. and ended 3 p.m. yet a small precinct in Dueñas, Iloilo with about 85 voters only made history as the first precinct to ever have its votes counted and aired live over Bombo Radyo. Reporter Peter John Bayasca was likewise the first radio reporter to file his report on the counting of election returns. Reelectionist Governor Neil Tupas Sr. with running mate Domingo Oso got the initial votes alongside reelectionist Congressman Ferjinel Biron.
A number of sample ballots distributed in other districts interestingly had the governor slot vacant while vice governor was filled-up with "Suplico" for outgoing Fifth District Congressman Rolex Suplico.
An hour into the counting, the reported harassments continued with gun-toting individuals involved in the Municipality of Dueñas, Lambunao and Estancia.