Bicol polls generally peaceful

By Jorge Hallare LEGAZPI CITY -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bicol on Tuesday reported that the conduct of the barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) elections was generally peaceful with all polling precincts functioning accordingly. Atty. Romeo Serrano, assistant regional director of Comelec-Bicol, in an interview said there was no failure of election in the entire region despite reported harassments, shooting incidents, encounters and violation of gun ban. “We commend all of these to our election partners especially the teachers, Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA) and other law enforcement and deputized agencies. It was all a team effort,” he said. Serrano said they are now just waiting for election results and percentage of electorates who casted their votes on Monday; while the DILG would be preparing the assumption to office of all proclaimed winners in July. He said the number of the registered voters for the SK elections in Bicol totalled 1,335,494; while the total number of registered regular voters is 3,332,621. He said after the barangay and SK elections, the Comelec in Bicol will again be preparing for the resumption of continuing registration on July 2,this year. Many are also waiting for the resumption of application of transfer of registration after it was last conducted Nov. 1 to 30 last year. The continuing registration is in line with the incoming May 2019 local and national elections.