More Davao political bets file COCs

MORE political candidates for local posts showed up at the Commission on Election (Comelec) Davao City on Wednesday, the third day of the filing of certificate of candidacies (COCs).

At least 13 political bets filed their respective COCs on Wednesday.

Incumbent Councilor Joanne M. Bonguyan is seeking reelection, while Reynaldo S. Camingawan and Lorenzo Cañada also filed their COC for District 1 city councilors in Davao City.

For the second district, incumbent city councilor April Marie Dayap and Marissa P. Salvador also filed for reelection.

Former city councilors Danilo C. Dayanghirang and Diosdado Mahipus also filed for their comeback.

In third district, incumbent city councilors Rene Elias C. Lopez, Myrna L'Dalodo Ortiz, Rachel Zozobrado, and Conrado Baluran are seeking re-election.

One Jenell C. Nagayo is the lone candidate who filed her COC for a seat in the House of Representatives, as of this posting Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Lawyer John Paul Cubero, election officer of District 2 of Comelec in Davao City, said Comelec-Davao cannot make politicians liable for early campaigning because of a precedent case that holds a candidate liable only for his actions during the campaign period.

The campaign period is March 29 to May 11, 2013.

"Mere filing of COC does not make him a candidate. Dili na premature campaign (It's not covered in premature campaign)," he said.

Comelec-Davao, he said, cannot do anything about it as it's a part of the "freedom of expression" of the candidates.

Cubero cited the "Peñera versus Comelec" case in November 2009 wherein Rosalinda Peñera, a mayoralty post in Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte, won a disqualification case filed against her by Comelec for premature campaign.

He said according to the Peñera ruling, "a candidate is liable to an election offense only for acts done during the campaign period, not before."