In Davao Oriental, 2 female bets fight over rally venue

Two female candidates for governor of Davao Oriental are not just fighting over an elective post - last Friday they also fought over the venue of their proclamation rally. Sun-Star Davao (www.sunstar.com.ph) reported Sunday that Rep. Corazon Malanyaon and re-electionist Governor Ma Elena Palma Gil both held proclamation rallies at the Mati Baywalk area. Ironically, Gil and Malanyaon are relatives and former political allies. Malanyaon is with President Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino while Gil is with Lakas-CMD. Both candidates’ camps even set up their stages just a few meters away from each other, with Malanyaon accusing Gil of harassing her and her camp. She said they were the first to set up a stage in Mati Baywalk, and that they had secured a mayor’s permit for the use of the baywalk area that day while the Gils have not. To prevent a full-blown confrontation, she said her camp decided to postpone her proclamation rally. Malanyaon said this is not the first incident that the governor’s camp harassed her and definitely would not be the last. “We have to stop our rally because pinaharap nila ang kanilang malakas na speaker sa stage namin (the sound boxes were positioned towards our stage). But the people sympathized with us. I think she lost the votes," Malanyaon said. Sun-Star said it could not reach Gil for comment. Malanyaon said she decided to run against Gil due to the clamor of the people of Davao Oriental for a new and better leader. - GMANews.TV