BANGUED, Abra—The Abra Movement for Change has called on the political leaders/parties of the province to put an end to the culture of violence and terror campaign tactics but instead raise the level of elections to issues such as programs of government and projects aimed at alleviating the plight of the poor.
The non-government organization said the electorate of Abra is tired of the violence associated with the political season and is clamoring for change, one that would bring real development in the province.
“The contending political parties in the province must make their covenant of peace in front of the people of Abra so they will be beholden and be bounded by their promises,” the ABC said.
ABC has also revealed that it has commissioned an independent survey in Abra to get the pulse of voter awareness and preference in the province.
The survey conducted on April 8-9 covering Bangued, Bucay, Danglas, Dolores, La Paz, Langangilang, Lagayan and Manabo, and on April 15-16 on Penarubia, Pidigan, Pilar, San Isidro, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum and Villaviciosa (16 municipalities) shows Vice President Jejomar Binay enjoying a wide lead of 42.6- percent voter preference in the presidential race against Senator Grace Poe’s 27.5 percent, Rodrigo Duterte’s 18.6 percent, Mar Roxas’ 8.1 percent and Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago’s 3.2 percent.
Leading the congressional race in the lone district of Abra is JB Bernos with 52.8 percent while Marco Bautista has 33.9 percent, Joselito Bringas with 8.1 percent and Cecilia Luna with 5.2 percent.
In the gubernatorial race, Joy Bernos leads the field with 54.9 percent followed by Ruby Bersamin with 41.3 percent, Antonio Viernes with 2.4 percent and Robert Bustamante at 1.4 percent.
Rolando Somera is the front-runner in the vice gubernatorial contest with 44.3 percent, followed by Ronald Balaoas with 32.9 percent and Ryan Luna with 22.8 percent.
The survey conducted by a group of University of the Phillipines and Polytechnic University of the Philippines students sampled 2400 respondents at a 2-percent margin of error employing a multi-stage random sampling method.
ABC said once the election is over and a leader has been chosen, the electorate belonging to the opposing sides must learn to respect the decision of the majority and join forces to bring about real development in Abra.