Friday, October 26, 2007 Son yields race to his father By Rene H. Martel Sun.Star Staff Reporter
SHOWING that family unity is still more important than ambition, a Sto. Niño, Cebu City aspirant for barangay councilor yesterday withdrew his candidacy.
John Philip Gimenez Po, 36, told the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that while “it was a hard decision,” it was the best course to take.
He said he wanted “to erase any confusion and disunity among our supporters, friends and relatives” because two members of the Po family are running for the same position.
John Philip’s father, incumbent Barangay Captain Wilfredo Po, is barred from seeking another term and opted to run for barangay councilor.
The two are included in the certified list of candidates for the barangay. Copies of the list were already distributed for posting in the polling precincts.
“I will sacrifice my ambition in order to unite and further strengthen the slate of my father…. I throw my undying support behind him,” John Philip said.
Sacrifice
With his decision, the Comelec will mark John Philip as having withdrawn his candidacy, said Tessie Mercado of the Cebu City north district Comelec office.
Had John Philip pursued his candidacy, a vote for “Po” would have been invalidated and would neither go to him nor his father.
In an interview, the 65-year-old Wilfredo said that his son, an independent candidate, informed him of his decision before submitting to the Comelec his withdrawal letter.
Also yesterday, candidates were reminded they should prepare their poll watchers’ identification cards (IDs) using the format prescribed by the Comelec.
Mercado said they should have the watchers sign the IDs before submitting these to the Comelec for the election officer’s signature. There are 2,301 candidates for the barangay elections in Cebu City. Of the number, 1,075 are from the south district.
Too young for council?
Day-as Barangay Captain Michael Ocleasa, who wanted to be reelected but filled up the wrong certificate of candidacy (COC), was officially included in the certified list of candidates for barangay councilor.
Because he is no longer vying with six others for his post, Ocleasa and his group adopted independent candidate Jovie Francisco as their candidate for barangay captain.
Mercado said the certified list of candidates also includes at least 20 teenagers who erroneously submitted COCs for barangay councilor, instead of for the Sangguniang Kabataan.
She said the local office is not in the position to declare them unqualified to run for barangay councilors for failing to meet the age requirement. (RHM)
