A SUSPECTED drug dealer, an anti-drug crusader and a retired police officer are among the aspirants who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Cebu City Commission on Elections (Comelec) office yesterday.

Cresistomo Mabitad Llaguno, 35, of B. Rodri-guez St., Barangay Sambag II, had a certain Kevin Villamor file his COC for him around 10:45 a.m.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

Llaguno, widely known locally as Tata Negro, listed “businessman” as his occupation. He is running for city councilor.

Llaguno has been identified by police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as one of the big-time drug pushers in the city.

Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said he will not oppose the candidacy of Llaguno as he has to remain neutral.

Comendador said that while it was true that Llaguno faced several drug-related cases filed by his office, the police will not object to his running for office.

“It is the people who will ultimately decide whom to vote for,” Comendador told reporters.

“The decision whether he can run or not rests with the Commission on Elections,” he said.

Though he has not been convicted, Comendador said Llaguno has pending cases in court.

He assured that the police will not single out any candidate but will monitor all those who are reported to be involved in illegal activities.

In March this year, Llaguno’s name got linked with Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who was alleged to have tried to intervene in a police operation supposedly against the suspected drug lord.

No less than Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña accused Rama of intervening in the raid and scolding a police official who led operatives in a video carrera operation in Sambag II.

Rama, however, denied the allegation, saying he just called the police team leader if they have a search warrant because he was “misinformed” that the operation was a raid when it was a hot pursuit.

Three hours after Atty. Marchel Sarno, city elections officer, received Llaguno’s COC, retired police supt. Rico Palcuto of Barangay Lahug also filed his COC for vice mayor.

Palcuto promised to prioritize peace and order to entice investors to come to the city.

Palcuto figured in news reports two years ago after he was accused of holding a radio station manager at gunpoint over a disagreement.

The retired policeman denied the allegation.

After Palcuto left the Comelec office yesterday, James Philip “Jimboy” Tionko, 46, then arrived and submitted his COC for city councilor.

Tionko was a Citizens Drug Watch Foundation provincial chairman, executive director of Krusada Batok sa Droga, and long-time assistant of former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, who filed his COC for Cebu City mayor the other day.

He said that if given the chance to be city councilor, he will prioritize the basic needs of the poor, particularly health and education.

One more

Another member of the Osmeña clan who filed his COC was Timoteo Emilio “Timmy” Osmeña Oppus, 47, who was running for city councilor.

His mother, he said, is a step-sister of former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña, who is running for senator like his cousin Sergio Osmeña III, brother of incumbent Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who is running for south district congressman.

Oppus, a first-time candidate, said he only learned of his uncle’s intent to run for senator yesterday.

At least eight individuals have so far filed their COCs in Cebu City, with two persons running for city mayor.

Cris Saavedra filed his COC for mayor on the first day of filing last Nov. 20, followed by Nestor Legaspi for city councilor, Juan Arinasa for north district representative and Sonny.