Friday, October 19, 2007
Aspirants swamp Comelec
A FORMER head of a presidential anti-crime task force, two militant group leaders and some members of the local media were among those who filed yesterday their candidacy papers for the Oct. 29 barangay elections.
They have from today until to Oct. 27 to campaign. It is the same schedule for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls.
Retired Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) Visayas chief Benjamin Paclibar is running for village chief of Inayagan, Naga town.
Naga assistant election officer Bertha Blaise Camomot said three other candidates are also vying for the post—Florido Badayos, Ricardo Larombe II and Epitacio Quimada.
Inayagan Barangay Captain Narciso Tablate is on his third term and will be running for councilor under the ticket of Badayos, a former town councilor.
The 62-year-old Paclibar, who served the PNP for 29 years, said his three-year stint in PAOCTF will be his main asset in improving peace and order in Inayagan.
In June 2006, Tablate made headlines when a text message accused him of plotting to kill two mayors and former PRO 7 chief Silverio Alarcio Jr.
This reached Camp Crame, which called for an investigation, focusing on Tablate and his alleged cohorts, namely Pastor Alcover and Boboy Calderon.
Tablate denied the reports and went to Alarcio to clear his name and that of his friend Alcover.
Tablate has been at odds with Paclibar on matters involving the retired police official’s neighbors and other issues.
NGOs, press
In Cebu City’s north district, Kilusang Mayo Uno chairman Jaime Paglinawan, 47, filed his candidacy for councilor of Barangay Lahug.
Bayan Muna secretary-general Arman Perez, 36, will run for barangay councilor of Mabolo.
From the media, ABS-CBN’s Ramil Ayuman will run for village chief of Apas; The Freeman reporters Gary Lao, 27, for councilor of Tejero and Rene Borromeo, 48, for councilor of Lorega-San Miguel; CCTN’s Mario Jun Veloso for councilor of Lorega; and Joseph Elvir Tubilan of Sun.Star Superbalita for barangay councilor in Barili town.
Former mediaman Arthur Abregonde, 57, is also running for village chief of Pahina Central. Radio anchor Mary Luz Tabar, 30, wants another term as Banilad barangay captain.
In Talisay City, incumbent Lawaan 1 Councilor and mediaman Jonathan “Joy” Tumulak aims for another term. Tumulak is a senior writer of Superbalita and a radio reporter of dyRF Radio Fuerza. His twin brother Dave, who is with ABS-CBN, is running for Lawaan 1 barangay captain.
Civil engineer Erwin Guanzon, 34, is taking a shot at the top post of Barangay Capitol Site.
Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos, 39, who is at odds with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, is seeking another term. Her challenger is Romeo Borden, 49.
Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera, 40, is running for councilor this time.
Non-partisan
Meanwhile, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes assured all winning candidates they will get the city’s support regardless of their political affiliations.
As of 2:30 p.m. yesterday, 74 candidates filed papers for 27 barangay captains’ posts in Mandaue. At least 550 declared their candidacy for 189 barangay councilors’ positions.
Cortes said he has heard reports that former mayor Thadeo Ouano and some politicians will be supporting some candidates for barangay chief.
In the youth sector, 163 filed their papers for the SK councilors’ posts and 60 will vie for the 27 SK chairpersons’ offices.
Defeated vice mayoral candidate and former city councilor Glen Bercede is running for barangay captain of Banilad. It is a three-cornered fight in Looc, with former city councilors Raul Cabahug and his brother Cesar Cabahug and Linda Tarrona.
In Barangay Opao, the residence of former mayor Ouano, three candidates will compete for barangay captain—Rafol Macalolooy, Augusto Mendoza and Edgar Prada. Only Macalolooy is an incumbent barangay councilor.
Incumbent Barangay Captain Joy Ouano was yet to file her candidacy hours before the Thursday midnight deadline, said barangay secretary Josie Rosal.
Of Mandaue’s 27 barangays, five village chiefs are on their last term.
The sixth leader, former Taboc barangay captain Emil Rosal, ran in the May 14 elections and won as city councilor.
Mandaue has 154,468 registered voters, spread in 766 precincts, said Mandaue City Election Officer Ferdinand Gujilde. (NRC/OCP/With GC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (October 19, 2007 issue)
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