Sunday, September 30, 2007 Few candidates file papers
ONLY a few contenders showed up at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices in Cebu yesterday, the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Oct. 29 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
Cebu Provincial Election Officer and Comelec 7 Legal Officer Lionel Marco Castillano said that as of 12 noon, only a handful submitted their COCs and drug test results.
From the 1,205 Cebu barangays, only three candidates from Mandaue City filed their COCs for barangay councilors, compared to eight in Lapu-Lapu City, excluding an aspirant for barangay captain.
In Toledo City, one filed his COC for barangay captain, accompanied by three seeking barangay council positions.
In Cebu City, 12 declared their candidacies for barangay council seats, including two who want to be barangay captains; four wanted to be SK chairpersons, and 19 filed their papers for SK councilors.
Ricardo Cardaño showed up the earliest in north district Election Officer Marchel Sarno’s office and submitted his documents for Kamagayan barangay councilor at 9:40 a.m.
Last-minute rush
In the south district, Johan Aniñon beat two others and submitted his COC for Suba barangay councilor at 8:45 a.m.
Castillano said they expected candidates to swamp their offices by Oct. 18, the last day of filing.
He said candidates usually file COCs on the final day to avoid being accused of electioneering when doing their rounds in their respective areas before Oct. 19, the start of the official campaign period.
Castillano said that although they do not directly solicit votes prior to the campaign period, candidates advertise themselves by sponsoring feeding programs, sitio fiesta activities, and other venues where they get to be presented before the public.
But under the Fair Elections Act, “directly or indirectly promoting or opposing the candidacy of a person is prohibited prior to the campaign period.”
Candidates circumvent this by submitting their COCs on the last day.
Pura Opura, 17, said she is seeking the Barangay Zapatera SK chairperson post to help the youth in her barangay stay away from drugs.
“I want to serve my community,” she said.
Ruhbel Ypil, 16, who is running under Opura’s ticket, said they will hold numerous activities like seminars and sports to raise awareness against illegal drugs.
In Barangay Parian, Mario Jherome Lazarte is expected to contest with three others the post incumbent Barangay Captain William Balaga will leave vacant.
His wife, Lucita, told Sun.Star that her husband wanted to see changes in Parian, which could not implement projects because of its budget deficit.
Standing in Lazarte’s way are three others, including Balaga’s son Mark, and Barangay Councilor Mario Rodriguez.
Lucita said her husband filed early his COC so he could concentrate on preparations for the start of the campaign.
Rodelio Arela also filed his COC early to challenge Pulangbato Barangay Captain Leonila Llaguno, who said she was not threatened.
She instead questioned Arela’s eligibility, saying he has long resided in Barangay Luz and is likely no longer registered in Pulangbato. (RHM)
