BY: IME SORNITO AND GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO – There were no big names among those who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) here and in Iloilo City yesterday.
In the city, perennial election candidate Carmelo “Mel” Carreon and Rovelson Bagares, a resident of Barangay Calumpang, Molo district, filed their respective COCs for councilor at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office at the Iloilo Terminal Market.
Vicente Parana Ang of Barangay Riza Pala-pala II also filed a COC for mayor.
Carreon, 80, said this election is not the time to back down. He ran – and lost – 11 times since 1992 but still hopes he would make it somehow.
Among the elective positions he previously sought were for councilor, vice mayor, mayor, and congressman.
He filed a COC for senator in the 2019 polls but eventually withdrew and instead ran for mayor.
“Ang bloodline namon ‘ya mga pulitiko gid. It is my mission,” said Carreon.
“I will become a politician kay ang Lolo ko si Valentin Carreon naka-agi mayor. Tatlo ‘ya ka brothers nag-mayor man sa Oton (Iloilo),” he added.
Carreon has no political party.
According to City Assistant Election Officer Jonathan Sayno, Carreon had never been considered a “nuisance candidate” because no one opposed his candidacy.
ILOILO PROVINCE
On the other hand, Atty. Elizabeth Doronila, provincial election officer, no one came to their office in La Paz, Iloilo City to file a COC.
“Although sa mga municipal offices may ara na pero gamay gihapon,” said Doronila.
She expects an influx of COC filers next week for governor, vice governor, provincial board member, and congressman.
Perhaps the only “big name” who filed a COC on Friday in Dumangas town was 4th District’s Cong. Braeden John Biron. He will run for mayor there, with incumbent Mayor Ronaldo Golez sliding down as vice mayor.
The filing of COC will run until Oct. 8.
WV
According to Atty. Wilfred Jay E. Balisado, director of Comelec Region 6, as of 12 noon yesterday more or less 30 aspiring candidates filed COCs across Western Visayas.
“Konsehal ang marami and two to three mayors pa lang ang nag-file ng COCs,” he said.
Balisado said all aspiring candidates were safely accommodated yesterday, although they worried about enforcing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health protocols next week.
“Dini-discourage talaga natin na magdala pa sila ng supporters nila during the filing,” said Balisado.
Balisado is also reminding aspiring candidates to wear proper face coverings, sanitize hands and observe physical distancing.
Aspiring candidates must also ensure that the prescribed COC form is filled out completely.
One of the problems seen on the first day of the filing of COCs was the CONA submitted by aspiring candidates belonging to the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan, or more commonly known as PDP-Laban after having two factions.
According to Balisado, the aspiring candidates were confused as to which faction they would secure a CONA.
“Ang Comelec hindi pa naka-decide kon sinong faction ang i-recognize,” said Balisado.
As to the part of Comelec-6, “we are just mandated to accept COCs for so long they have complied with the requirements,” Balisado added./PN
