Local News: Yulo in Determined Bid to Run in Special Election

Provincial Board Member lawyer Dino Yulo intends to run in the coming June 2 special elections for congressman come-what-may, because he wants democracy to flourish in the fifth district, where the late Congressman Ignacio Arroyo held sway until his death. Arroyo had more than a year still to serve his term when he succumbed to a liver disease in London, England a few months back.

Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol has been chosen by the main majority coalition, United Negros Alliance (UNA), as its candidate during the special election to elect Arroyo’s successor when he died.

Mirasol was the overwhelming choice of local government officials to replace Arroyo in a consensus selection held Saturday last week.

"UNA has announced its candidate so I respect their decision," Yulo told Aksyon Radyo in Bacolod in an interview yesterday. When asked whether he wouild or would not back out later, he said he was now determined to toss his hat into the special election ring. "Anyway, it will not be local government officials who will decide the bets for congressman during the special election, but the people who have the power to do so," he said.

Yulo also doubts whether the local government officials during the consensus would be for Mirasol totally. Some would choose him 100%, several 90%, others 50%, he said.

It was not the first time that suggestions have been aired to convince him not to run for congressman but he had to relent in the past.

He now wants to run for congressman so that he can firm up his plans, declare the projects he has implemented and projects he will implement once he makes it.

Some quarters have accused him of selling out in the past which Yulo vehemently denied.

In fact, he ran three times and each time, he won the post of provincial board member.

People should also be given their democratic choice, said Yulo.

Meanwhile, an obviously chagrined former board member, Tanting Tuvilla said he felt disgusted when they supported Yulo previously and egged him to run for the congressional post remains.

Mirasol, who is a Yulo on his mother’s side and Dino Yulo are uncle and nephew.

"The die is cast," Yulo insinuated.*