ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in this city is expected to be swamped with candidates and their supporters. Today is the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 13, 2019 midterm elections. There will be no extension, according to the poll body.
Cong. Jerry Treñas who is running for mayor under the National Unity Party (NUP) after leaving the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and his group will be marching to the city Comelec office at the Iloilo Terminal Market after hearing a 7:30 a.m. mass at the Santa Maria Catholic Church.
On the other hand, the group of Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, wife of the late Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez and candidate for mayor, is scheduled to appear at the city Comelec office after an 8 a.m. mass at the Santa Teresita Chuch.
According to city election officer Atty. Rainer Layson, Comelec will be receiving COC filers on a first come, first served basis.
“Kon sin-o nga grupo ang mauna amo gid na ang unahon naton. May i-maintain kita nga holding area. Hulatan sang isa ka grupo in case mag-abtanay gid man sila,” said Layson.
Treñas’ slate is made up of the following candidates:
* for congresswoman – former councilor Julienne Baronda
* for vice mayor – Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon
* for councilor – reelectionists Lady Julie Grace Baronda, Ely Estante, Armand Parcon, and Jay Treñas, Reyland Hervias Jojo Javellana, Rodulph Jeffrey Ganzon, Gilbert Garcia, Allan Zaldivar, and Atty. Rommel Duron
Gonzales’ line-up is composed of the following candidates:
* for congressman – Councilor Joshua Alim
* for vice mayor – Councilor Plaridel Nava
* for councilor – Atty. Dan Cartagena, Judgie Alim, MJ Ramos, Hermie Panes, Allen Aquino, Ras Borja, and Kayser Jadulos
Gonzalez is running for mayor under the Lakas-NUCD but she has decided to form an alliance with Nava and Alim of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.
While Treñas’ group is expected to be accompanied by supporters in festive mood, Nava said theirs would be without fanfare.
Layson appealed to supporters of the both camps to be cooperative with Comelec in making the filing of COCs orderly.
“Indi kita magpalada sa aton mga emotions, nga pangunahan naton maggamo. Dapat magkalma lang,” said Layson.
Supporters won’t be allowed to enter the Comelec office with the candidates.
Only the candidates and their immediate families would be accommodated inside, said Layson.
The COC must have the candidate’s photograph, signature and documentary stamp on top of being notarized.
The filer must also submit the following: Certificate of Nomination (from a political party if a party member), Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination and Authority to File Certificate of Candidacy.
A COC filer must meet the following criteria:
* must be a Filipino citizen (except for those seeking to run for senator; they should not only be Filipino citizens, they must also be natural-born Filipino citizens)
* must be a resident of the place where he/she intends to run for at least one year before election day
* must be a registered voter of the place where he/she intends to run
* must be able to read and write
The age qualifications are the following:
* for senator – at least 35 years old on election day
* for congressman – at least 25 years old on election day
* for governor, vice governor and Provincial Board member – at least 23 years old on election day
* for mayor, vice mayor and councilor (highly-urbanized city) – at least 23 years old on election day
* for mayor and vice mayor (independent component city, component city, or municipality) – at least 21 years old on election day
* for city and municipal councilor – at last 18 years old on election day/PN
