CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- More than 500 political aspirants in Pampanga have filed their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last October but only 242 of them will be elected in different positions.

According to the Comelec, there are a total of 242 positions in the local and Provincial Government, and House of Representatives that will be vacated for the election day.

These includes a governor, a vice governor, four district representatives, 10 provincial board members, three city mayors, 19 municipal mayors, 30 members of the city councils, and 152 members of the municipal councils.

At least four candidates are vying for the gubernatorial positions --- James Escoto, Jomar Hizon, Dennis Pineda and Amado Santos.

Incumbent Governor Lilia Pineda is running unopposed for the vice gubernatorial post.

A total of nine congressman-aspirants are running in the four legislative districts of Pampanga. First district has three candidates, second district two, third district one and fourth district three.

At least 56 candidates are seeking the mayoralty position and 53 for vice-mayoralty posts in the three cities and 19 municipalities of Pampanga.

Comelec Provincial Officer Fernando Cot-om urged voters in the province to exercise their rights to vote and going into their designated polling precincts in their respective areas from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on May 13.

Recent data from the shows that Pampanga has a total of 1.48 million registered voters.

He also reminded candidates as well as their respective supporters to respect the country’s electoral process by avoiding irregularities during and after the Election Day.

“We also asked everybody to be vigilant and mindful of their surroundings and report to the Comelec or the Philippine National Police individuals who violates the election laws,” Cot-om said.