THE filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2025 midterm elections began on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, with early filers in Cebu Province and Cebu City, while Lapu-Lapu City saw no filings on the first day.
Police are on high alert to ensure security during the filing period.
The COC filing period, which runs until Oct. 8, marks the official start of the election season for the 2025 midterm elections.
Early filers in Cebu Province
• Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia (3rd District, seeking reelection)
• Salvador Arapal Cariaga (4th District congressional aspirant)
• Dr. Odysseus “Ody” Camarillo (2nd District board member aspirant)
Cebu City’s first filer
• Abraham Alcontin Verdida, 57, taxi driver running for city councilor
Reelection bid
Garcia was the earliest to file his COC, seeking reelection in the third district. Accompanied by his wife Karen, Garcia submitted his COC at exactly 8 a.m. at the Comelec Cebu office on Capitol grounds in Cebu City.
The second candidate to file was Cariaga, running for congressman in the fourth district. Cariaga, a farmer and owner of Arapal Farms in Bogo City, is making his second attempt for the district. Despite his defeat in the 2022 elections, Cariaga hopes Cebuanos will recognize his strong commitment to improving the fourth district through livelihood programs.
Camarillo was the third candidate to file his COC, running for board member in the second district.
In Cebu City, Verdida, a 57-year-old taxi driver from Barangay Labangon, was the first to file his COC as an aspirant for Cebu City Councilor.
Running as an independent candidate, Verdida advocates for transportation initiatives such as “free rides” on his birthday and plans to give out sacks of rice as raffle prizes.
The Police Regional Office (PRO 7) is on full alert.
Starting Sept. 30, all police units were mandated to set up 24-hour police and Comelec checkpoints. The number of security personnel is expected to double on the last day of COC filing.
Increased personnel deployment, especially on the last day of filing of COCs.
After the filing deadline, the PRO 7 will review the list of candidates to identify any with relatives in law enforcement in areas where they are seeking office. If found, these officers will be reassigned to avoid influencing voters, according to Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson for PRO 7 Director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin. / ANV, TPT, EHP, AYB, DPC