6 mayors run unopposed in Apayao

SIX OUT of seven candidates for municipal mayors in Apayao remain unopposed in the coming May 13, 2013 elections.

The municipal mayors of Calanasan, Conner, Flora, Kabugao, Luna and Sta. Marcela composed mostly of reelectionists remain unopposed in the mayoralty race leaving only incumbent mayor Batara Laoat of the Liberal Party (LP) as the only local chief executive with Ronald Almazan as an opponent from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

In a report of Apayao provincial election officer lawyer Nicholas Jacob, incumbent Governor Elias Bulut Sr. is running unopposed as mayor of Calanasan together with reelectionist mayors Leonardo Dangoy of Conner, Efren de San Jose of Flora, Joseph Amid of Kabugao, Betty Verzola of Luna, and Rolly Guiang of Sta. Marcela.

Vice Governor Hector Pascua of the LP also remained unopposed.

The brother and sister tandem of Representative Eleanor Bulut-Begtang and Governor Elias Bulut Jr. meanwhile are challenged by UNA’s Umbaro Sagle and Aamado Almazan, respectively.

Meanwhile, eight incumbent Provincial Board Members Sedolito Agunos, Jose Hortellano, Angel Umingli, Frederick Amid of first district and Norman Agonoy, Remy Albano, Bobby Balanay, and Catalina Galleon of the second district, all members of LP, are challenged by Reynaldo Moyaen and Shirley Romero of the Nacionalista party for the first district and independent candidate Philip Uba in the second district.

Some 158 candidates filed their Certificates of Candidacy before the deadline of filing last October 5, Jacob said.

Comelec-Apayao resumed voter’s registration last October 6, immediately after the filing of COCS.

Based on report of the Comelec-Cordillera, more than 60,000 voters are expected to exercise their right to suffrage in the province in next year’s polls.