MONSIGÑOR Allan Pulgo yesterday, October 8, told candidates to make the public good their foremost priority as he celebrated Mass at the Saint Augustine’s Cathedral for One Kagay-an, the political coalition headed by Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy and 2nd district Congressman Rufus Rodriguez.
“Unta sa inyong panerbisyo ang tumong mao ang kaayohan sa katawhan,” Pulgo told One Kagay-an candidates shortly before the group filed their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections office in Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro.
Backed by families and supporters, the One Kagay-an candidates and their entourage painted the Cathedral orange and green as the religious cum political gatherings turned into a seemingly festive Sunday mass with the presence of a jam-packed crowd.
The rival party, an alliance of Oscar S. Moreno’s camp and the Padayon Pilipino, heard a similar message when they heard the mass on Monday, October 7, also at the Cathedral.
“Although he intends it as a joke, Monsigñor Pulgo did suggest nga usahon na lang ang misa sa Padayon Pilipino ug One Kagay-an but to no avail. Wala nisugot ilang staff,” the City Cathedral’s Rector John Asentista told Gold Star Daily.
The crowd at the Cathedral spilled over the adjoining church grounds even as One Kagay-an supporters were without their Zone leaders from the city’s 80 barangays.
“Wala ma’y advise nga paadtoon ‘mi,” said Uy’s ever loyal village chair Lelit Baal-Molina from the coastal barangay Bonbon.
“Wala mi giimbitar kay strictly family lang daw. Naghangyo pud ang Comelec nga limited lang ang mo-attend aron dili gubot,” said Rodriguez’s trusted chieftain from Barangay 23, Jaime Joshua Frias II.
An additional crowd of supporters hoisting banners of their favorite candidates also gathered at the Gaston Park, creating noise the moment Mayor Uy, Congressman Rodriguez and company stepped out of the Cathedral and headed to Barangay Carmen for the CoC filing.
