One-on-one political battle looms in Iloilo

A CLOSE political battle with a one-on-one fight between top contenders in the city and province of Iloilo looms as the deadline of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) ends at 5 p.m. Friday, October 5.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) city election officer Reinier Layson said that as of noon Friday, a total of 32 candidates filed their COCs, showing the political contest between administration party candidates and the opposing camp and some independents.

Fighting for the dominant Liberal Party in the city are reelectionists Congressman Jerry P. Treñas, City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III and their 12 candidates for councilors composed of seven reelectionists, two former councilors, and three new faces.

Challenging the Liberals are the Untied Nationalists Alliance (UNA) group headed by Raul Gonzalez Jr. for representative, neophyte candidate Rommel Ynion for city mayor, outgoing city Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon for vice mayor and 12 new candidates for city councilor.

Layson said that out of the 32 candidates, 26 are running for city councilors, including some independent candidates. More are expected to file their COC before the deadline by five in the afternoon.

Comelec Iloilo provincial election officer Elizabeth Doronila said the same situation is happening in the province of Iloilo for a one-on-one battle between the Liberal Party and UNA bets for the position of governor, vice governor and congressman in the five congressional districts and in some mayoralty candidates. (Lydia C. Pendon)