(Provincial board member Rolando Tigas, Samal town mayoral candidate join dancing supporters campaigning around the town.)
(Re-electionist 2nd District Rep. Geraldine Roman and Samal Vice Mayor Aida Macalinao, mayoral candidate, lead a long motorcade during the start of the campaign period. Photos by Ernie Esconde)
SAMAL, Bataan — Colorful motorcades, street dancing, blaring sound systems marked the start of the campaign period for local candidates in Bataan on Friday.
In this town, two contending groups for the municipal posts showed their force early morning amost at the same time in going around the town of 26,423 registered voters.
Provincial board member Rolando Tigas, Samal mayoral candidate, and his eight candidates for sangguniang bayan started their campaign rally at the Samal public market and walked in the town proper shaking hands with people they met.
Their supporters danced from music provided by sound systems mounted on vehicles. They wore green T-shirts.
Re-electing Samal Mayor Aida Macalinao and her group campaigned by motorcade from Barangay Lalawigan to the rest of the 14 villages. Candidates with their families on board separate vehicles were tirelessly waving at people they passed by.
Reelectionist 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman joined Macalinao on top of a vehicle shaking hands and waving at people. They and their supporters were in red T-shirts.
Roman is being challenged by Emily Lubag, former Dinalupihan municipal councilor.
Traffic stalled at the MacArthur Highway as the motorcades made the round of the area.
Campaign streamers of local candidates and the senatorial slate they support began to sprout in the plaza.
Some 545,507 registered voters in 237 barangays in 11 towns and one city in Bataan are expected to vote on May 13, 2019 elections.
Running unopposed are Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia, his brother 2nd District Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd and cousin Vice-Gov. Cris Garcia.
Gov. Albert Garcia is opposed by Limay Mayor Ver Roque while sister Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia has also an opponent.
Also without opponents are Mayors Liberato Santiago of Abucay, Efren Pascual, Jr. of Orani and Cynthia Estanislao of Bagac.
