THE Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Dagupan were marred by charges and counter-charges of vote-buying by the candidates and their supporters.

These escalated tension in some barangays in the city where rivalry among the candidates for barangay captain was tight.

Areas where vote-buying were said to be rampant were barangays Bonuan Gueset, Tambac and Carael while in one barangay, the barangay chairman was accused of employing flying voters.

The election in barangay Bonuan Gueset is of special interest, it being the biggest barangay not only in the city and Pangasinan but also in the entire Region 1, both in area and population.

Seven candidates vied for the post of barangay captain in Bonuan Gueset and 68 for barangay kagawad positions.

Radio reports stated that in some barangays, not only candidates for barangay positions resorted to vote-buying but also some Sangguniang Kabataan chairmen.

The blotters of police stations in different towns and cities were also replete with complaints by candidates accusing their opponents with alleged vote-buying.

A report of Bombo Radyo Dagupan showed candidates of all sides in Dagupan City, specifically, were buying votes for as high as P1,000 and for as low as P50 each.

The radio stations did not mention names of the candidates buying votes.

This report of rampant vote-buying rendered useless a peace covenant signed by all candidates before officials of the City Elections Office and the Police on October 19.

It is not only in Dagupan where there were reports of vote-buying but also in San Carlos City, Calasiao, Mangaldan and other towns.
Reportssaid that candidates were buying votes right in the vicinity of polling precincts by handing out campaign materials, in which paper money are attached, to voters going to the polls.

There were also reports that candidates and their supporters went house-to-house Sunday night till dawn of Monday to hand over money and grocery goods to families in exchange for their votes. (PNA)