ILOILO – Eight mayoralty candidates in this province have no opponents in the upcoming election.
Seven of the eight are incumbent mayors while one is an incumbent vice mayor who filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor.
These candidates are the following:
* Mayor Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez of San Enrique
* Mayor Jennifer Garin-Colada of Guimbal
* Mayor Mark Palabrica of Bingawan
* Mayor Jett Rojas of Ajuy
* Mayor Liecel Mondejar-Seville of New Lucena
* Mayor Nielo Tupas of Barotac Viejo
* Mayor Manuel Ganzon of Balasan
* Vice Mayor Keneth Alfeche of Alimodian
According to Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 6, unopposed candidates will not automatically be able to assume office by the May 9, 2022 elections. The end of an incumbent’s term will be on June 30, 2022 (noontime).
However, if a candidate is an incumbent, “you continue to serve until June 30, 2022 and assume ka naman uli by noontime of June 30,” Balisado explained.
Meanwhile, Colada and Palabrica expressed elation over their running unopposed in Guimbal and Bingawan, respectively.
Based on Comelec-6 data, a total of 1,189 aspiring candidates filed their COCs in the city and province of Iloilo: congressman (15), governor (two), vice governor (one), board members (15), mayors (108), vice mayors (99), and Sangguniang Bayan members (949).
Vice Gov. Christine Garin is also running unopposed. She would be in her last term of office.
“I’m overwhelmed. Thank you,” Garin said./PN
