Reelectionists file COCs

AN INCUMBENT congressman and two other incumbent officials under National Unity Party (NUP) and Gov. Gwen Garcia’s One Cebu Party filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) yesterday morning.

Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, fourth district) is seeking reelection and filed his COC at 10:12 a.m.

He said that with the development projects he poured in the district, it is now up to the people to decide whom to vote for.

At 10:18 a.m., Sun Shimura filed his COC for Provincial Board (PB) member, followed by PB Member Joven Mondigo at 10:26 a.m.

In their COCs, they indicated their party as NUP, since their local party One Cebu Party is under the NUP.

At 10:32 a.m., businessman Glen Soco, a former One Cebu Party member, also filed his COC for vice governor. But this time, he is under the political party of former president Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Plilipino (PMP).

Salimbangon, in the 2013 midterm election, will be facing Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, the son of Bogo Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. who will run again for the same position.

This will be the third time that Tining and Salimbangon will run against each other.

The first was in 2007 when Tining’s three terms as mayor of Bogo City ended. The second was on May 10, 2010.

In 2007, the Comelec proclaimed Salimbangon as the winner, but the Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of Tining.

Salimbangon, who ran again and prevailed in the 2010 election, is hopeful that the people will realize the developments he introduced in his district, which is now considered the economic and tourism hub there.

He said he already filed a bill declaring the district as an economic zone.

“As for me, the good people of the fourth district of Cebu have spoken already through their voters by giving me the margin of more than 72,000 votes during the 2010 elections, for which I am eternally grateful to the Almighty and to my constituents,” Salimbangon said.

Soco

Minutes after Salimbangon filed his COC, Gov. Gwen Garcia’s former running mate, Soco, filed his COC.

The Comelec en banc’s decision had just dismissed Soco’s election protest against the late vice governor Greg Sanchez.

But the businessman elevated the case to the Supreme Court and said yesterday that he fought for the position and will continuously fight for it.

“I have the track record, sincerity and clear platform,” he told reporters during interview.

Salimbangon, meanwhile, said Mayor Martinez’s statement that Tining is winnable, saying the mayor has no basis.

Mayor Martinez announced Tining’s candidacy for congressman against Salimbangon during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza the other day, and said that he (Tining) has a good chance of winning again this time.

Junie said that had Tining been given the chance to assume as congressman for the 2007-2010 term, he could have passed laws for the benefit of Bogo City and the towns of Tabogon, San Remegio, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Bantayan, Sta. Fe and Madridejos.

Salimbangon, in a text message, said he respects Junie Martinez’s statement.

Calderon

PB Member Peter John Calderon filed his certificate of candidacy for a reelection bid in the second district at the Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) at 3:50 p.m. yesterday.

Calderon was accompanied by PB member Wilfredo Caminero when he filed his COC.

Calderon said the other PB member candidate for the second district under LP will be Dumanjug Vice Mayor Christopher Baricuatro.

In a separate interview, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia said One Cebu party has chosen someone from Argao town as one of the party’s candidates to run for PB member in the second district.

Calderon and Caminero have moved out from One Cebu and took their oath last Aug. 29 as LP members.

Caminero has yet to file his COC to run for Congress in the second district.

“I still have two days to enjoy being a non-candidate,” Caminero told reporters yesterday.

He assured that he will file his COC as he chose the challenge to run for congress with no condition.