BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA AND MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City – The first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 elections went smoothly yesterday even as big political names in Negros Occidental got it done at the Capitol Social Hall.
Among the first candidates to file their COCs were 5th District’s Cong. Marilou Arroyo-Lesaca; and Provincial Board members Manuel Frederick Ko and Andrew Montelibano of the 3rd District, and Jose Benito Alonso and Andrew Martin Torres of 4th District. All seek reelection.
Thirty-three-year-old Jonry Gargarita, a resident of Barangay Progreso, Binalbagan, later filed his COC for vice governor.
However, Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials said he had “incomplete” requirements. He was advised to return with the complete requirements.
Former 6th District congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang filed her COC around past noon. She seeks to return to her old post.
The former lawmaker was accompanied by husband Army Major Dranreb Lansang, father incumbent 6th District congressman Genaro Alvarez and her legal counsel.
She was later followed by 1st District Provincial Board members Araceli Somosa and Rommel Debulgado; 6th District Provincial Board member Jeffrey Tubola; and 5th District Provincial Board member Hernan Gatuslao.
Around 3 p.m. incumbent Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson filed his COC, followed by incumbent Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer, with both seeking reelection.
Lacson was accompanied by 1st District’s Cong. Gerardo Valmayor, Jr. who will also seek reelection.
Ferrer, meanwhile, was accompanied by 4th District’s Cong. Juliet Marie Ferrer, also a reelectionist.
In Bacolod, on the other hand, only one candidate – Allan Arroyo of Barangay Sum-ag – filed a COC for councilor. This was his third time running for the post.
Arroyo, a 57-year-old former seaman, said he got 30,000 votes during the 2019 elections.
The COC filing would be until Oct. 8 but the Comelec reminds aspiring candidates to register early and not to wait for the deadline.
They also encouraged the candidates to observe the minimum health protocols at poll offices./PN
