SCROLLING down: what some people speculate about Toledo City Mayor Sonny Osmeña's bid in Cebu's third district and Benhur Salimbangon daughter's running for vice governor... The issues PJ Garcia would raise against Sonny. Did you know the other Osmeña teased the third district voters about running there in 2010 and 2013 but he aborted both attempts?
BEFORE that, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who's running for senator again, has denied he ever said the martial law, which he designed and enforced, imprisoned anyone for criticizing the Marcos administration.
What he actually said on video and aired nationwide: "Name me one person that was arrested simply because he criticized President Marcos. None."
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Replacement rule explained: 2 rumors
These two rumors/speculations spotlight the need to clarify the Comelec rule on substitution of candidates:
* John "Sonny" Osmeña might withdraw his COC for third district congressman and bid for a third term as mayor of Toledo City by substituting City Councilor Joy Perales who filled his slot in that city;
* Daphne Salimbangon might withdraw his COC for Cebu vice governor and be replaced by his father Representative Benhur Salimbangon who, barred by term limit, fielded his wife in his place in the fourth district.
Can the substitution be lawfully done? Lionel Marco Castillano, Cebu provincial election officer, told Atty. Frank Malilong Jr. on dyCM's "Frankahay Ta" Thursday (October 18) that it can be done as long as (1) they're not independent candidates and each has or will have a Cona (certificate of nomination and acceptance) from his/her political party; and (2) the replacement must be made on or before November 29.
Sonny, Perales, and Daphne are presumably covered by Conas as they're major contenders. So will Benhur have a Cona, if he pulls out Daphne and joins the fray. Substitution can be legally done but that doesn't mean it will be done. It will depend upon on which strategy the affected parties may pursue.
With Junie Martinez though as the opponent of Benhur's wife in the fourth district, the elder Salimbangon might deem it wise to stay close to the congressional campaign instead of substituting for his daughter.
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Doubt unresolved: Sonny's detour
Toledo City Mayor "Sonny" Osmeña's turnaround and filing his COC for congressman in the third district reminds people of his previous announcements in the past.
* In 2010, he first said he would seek the House seat in the third district but then filed his papers for Cebu City mayor.
* In 2013, he again initially publicized his intent to run in the same district but then decided to run for Toledo City mayor, where he won his first and later, in 2016, his second term, in 2016.
This time though he reportedly filed his COC for the district now occupied by Representative Gwen Garcia, who will run for governor. Her brother Pablo John seeks to fill the vacancy on June 30.
It pulled a surprise though it couldn't surpass the epic switch between Governor Junjun Davide and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale. Sonny's trick actually is a detour, not a switch.
In 2010, Sonny would've faced PJ; in 2013, Sonny would've faced Gwen. Would the other Osmeña this time make good his teasing with the third district?
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Issues with J.O.: as PJ saw it
In the 2010 fight that didn't happen, PJ Garcia laid down his main issues against Sonny then: "young vs old; politics of performance vs politics of vengeance."
Sonny had served the third district before (1995-1997) and there must be record of what he had or had not done, compared to his rival when PJ was its congressman (2007-2013). As to age, third-district voters had, and would again have, a good look at each candidate.
The campaign would be back-breaking as instead of doing just one city, they'd be covering Toledo City and six towns: Aloguinsan, Asturias, Balamban, Barili, Pinamungahan and Tuburan. Unless Sonny would limit his physical campaign to a few sorties, as he reportedly did in Toledo in the 2016 campaign.
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