A NEW group who is espousing on federalism filed their certificate of candidacy (COC) today, October 16 at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) was headed by Lucio Encio for congressman, Esteban Abitang as their mayor and Constancio Caro for the vice mayoral seat.
PDDS has twelve candidates for councilors consisting of Aillen Equico, Rachel Sampiano, Mary Irish Melgar, Jovito Guilaran, Jocelyn Jover, Wenceslao Sollano, Lorenzo Castillano, Danilo Fuentes, Teofilo Aldea, Nenita Demontano, Shirley Jalbuena and Oscar Diopeta.
Meanwhile, the incumbent city mayor Jose Espinosa III and allies have already filed their COCs on the first day, October 11.
Tagged as Team Arangka, Espinosa’s alliance comprises of incumbent councilor R Leone Gerochi for the vice mayoral post and former councilor Perla Zulueta for congresswoman.
Councilors who will run under his lead are Eduardo Peñaredondo, Liezl Zulueta-Salazar, Mandrie Malabor, Lyndon Acap, Candice Tupas and Rodel Fullon Agado.
Aside from them, Carmelo “Mel” Carreon, a well-known Ilonggo who had run for councilor and mayor post numerous times before, also filed his COC today, Tuesday.
He envisioned a lot of improvements in the city. He also named himself as the “Unrecognized Ilonggo Global Celebrity.”
Carreon, together with Rudy Bantolo will run for the mayoral seat. Carreon canceled his senatorial candidacy after the Comelec rejected his COC due to the old form he used. Comelec requires to use a new form.
Congressman Jerry Treñas, who will also run as mayor will file his COC on October 17 with his camp.
An ally of Treñas, the incumbent city councilor Armand Parcon filed his candidacy first thing in the morning Tuesday, together with Wilfredo Garcia. (Carolyn Jane Abello)