ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 6 officially closed the filing of substitution and withdrawal of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2022 elections. Fifty-seven backed out while 28 substituted.
Based on Comelec-6’s consolidated report, 35 aspirants withdrew in Iloilo city and province while 16 substituted.
The withdrawals included five mayoralty candidates, nine vice mayoralty, 19 Sangguniang Bayan (SB), one Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member, and one Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) member.
Here’s the breakdown of the mayoralty candidates who have withdrawn their candidacies:
* Felicito Dolar, Jr. of Dumangas (Independent)
* Noel Bagsit of Banate (Ind)
* Jesus Napallatan of Miag-ao (Progressive Federal Party or PFP) – substituted by Anthony Ticorda
* Roel Jarina (deceased) of Tigbauan (Lakas–CMD) – substituted by Virgilio Teruel
* Adrian Rendaje of Badiangan (National Unity Party or NUP) – substituted by Atty. Suzette Mamon
For the vice mayoralty:
* Salvacion Esporas of Igbaras (PFP)
* Kent Roger Peñaflorida of Pototan (Ind)
* Julius Decipulo of Pototan (Ind)
* Loliver Molavizar of Miag-ao (United Nationalist Alliance or UNA) substituted by Gemma Nulada
* Joebani Fainganan of Miag-ao (PFP)
* Hernan Biron Sr. of Barotac Nuevo (Nacionalista Party or NP) substituted by Hernan Biron Jr.
* Renee Rose Perez of Mina (NUP) substituted by John Michael Defensor
* Eduardo Tuares of Cabatuan (Ind)
* Virgilio Teruel of Tigbauan (LAKAS) substituted by Lugen Ortilano
Meanwhile, Jona Lynn Egaran withdrew her candidacy for Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and Mike Chin Jr. for Sangguniang Panlungsod member.
AKLAN
Based on the data submitted by Atty. Roberto Salazar, provincial election supervisor III, four aspirants withdrew their COCs while one substituted.
These were as follows:
* John Rogar Garcia of Ibajay – SB member (UNA)
* Jake Villanueva of Ibajay – SB member (UNA)
* Marilou Mabilog Arcenio of Lezo – SB member (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan or KBL) substituted by Norberto Sitchon Ponce
* Jonathan Vergara – SP member, 2nd District (UNA)
ANTIQUE
In Hamtic town, Julius Delas Llagas Pacificador and Julius Ronald Leyritana Pacificador, both of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), switched posts – the latter seeking the mayoralty, the former the vice mayoralty.
Others who have withdrawn were:
* Antonio Lopez Española, Jr. of Tibiao – SB member (Ind)
* Amilo Estifanio Hilario of Valderrama – SB member (Ind)
GUIMARAS
Six candidates in the province withdrew their candidacies while five substituted:
* Johnny Bert M. Habaña – vice governor (PFP) substituted by Vicente De Asis
* Leonarico Manajero of Buenavista – SB member substituted by Dan Ely Habaña (PFP)
* Noel Basañes of Buenavista – SB member (Ind)
* Jesus Jose Cacho of Sibunag – SB member sang Sibunag substituted by Jose Villasis (PFP)
* Cyril Galon of Jordan – mayor but substituted by Cresente Chavez (PFP).
* Hugo Chavez of Jordan – SB member but substituted by Leonida Ganancial (PFP).
CAPIZ
Two aspirants withdrew and one substituted:
* Edwin Delmo – SP member, 2nd District (Probinsya Muna Development Initiative or PROMDI)
* Johnny Salcedo of Dumalag – SB member (PDP-Laban) substituted by Ramona Mae Salcedo.
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL
Six aspirants backed out while three substituted:
* Rene Selladora of Toboso – SB member (NPC) substituted by Gil Flores
* Paolo Villanueva of Toboso – SB member (LAKAS) substituted by Efren Mandajoyan
* Manuel Badillo of La Carlota City – SP member (NUP)
* Princess Patpat of Escalante City – SP member (NPC)
* Ilfredo Prietos Sr. – SP member (LAKAS)
* Anju Canillo of Calatrava – mayor (Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan or PDDS) substituted by Jose Antonthy Canillo
Meanwhile, the Bacolod City-Comelec has not received any withdrawal or substitution of candidates.
According to Valera, Comelec-6 will submit the withdrawals and substitutions to the law department of the Comelec-central office for vetting.
A “clean list” may be up by December.
According to Valera, the most common reason for withdrawal was the party’s decision.
“Iban naman nag-withdraw because nga nakita nila nga wala man padaog,” said Valera./PN