One Cebu and LP bets file COCS: Race for gov on

CEBU, Philippines - Clad in their respective signature colors, Liberal Party and One Cebu Party bets, along with their supporters, crossed paths with each other at the Commission on Elections-Cebu provincial office during the filing of their certificates of candidacy yesterday morning.

The One Cebu provincial slate, wearing their blue polo shirts, led by gubernatorial candidate Winston Garcia and his running mate Nerissa Soon-Ruiz trooped to the Comelec-Cebu office at around 10 a.m.

Third district representative Gwendolyn Garcia, who is seeking re-election, and former congressman Pablo John Garcia, who will vie for a seat in the House of Representatives representing the newly created seventh district, filed their COCs. The two, however, were wearing white shirts.

Other One Cebu members who also filed their COCs were Mandaue City College President Paulus Mariae Cañete, for Cebu sixth district representative; former Boljoon mayor Teresita Celis, for Cebu 2nd district representative; Carmiano Kintanar and former Dalaguete mayor Andrade Alcantara, for 2nd district seat in the Provincial Board; and Salvador Sarimines, for 7th district in the Provincial Board.

There are two seats in the PB available for each district.

While One Cebu aspirants were still inside the Comelec-Cebu office, would-be candidates of the ruling Liberal Party led by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and his running mate Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, both seeking re-elections, arrived wearing their yellow shirts.

Their supporters also accompanied them bringing yellow balloons.

Before leaving, Winston approached and shook hands with the LP bets waiting outside the office for the One Cebu candidates to finish the filing process.

Davide heaped praise on the One Cebu shirt worn by Garcia, who in turn told the governor the meaning of the letters WFG on the shirt was “Winston for Governor”.

The LP bets who filed their candidacies yesterday were Board Member Peter John Calderon, who is running for 7th district representative; Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, for Cebu 6th district; Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., for Cebu 4th district; and re-electionist Wilfredo Caminero for Cebu 2nd district.

Other LP aspirants who also formalized their candidacies yesterday for a post in the Provincial Board were Badian Vice Mayor Jerome Librando  and Board Member Christopher Baricuatro, for 7th district; Mandaue City Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede and Consolacion Councilor Julius Alegado, for 6th district; former Provincial Board member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. and Medellin councilor Horacio Franco III, for 4th district; Pinamungajan councilor Jeffrey Anthony Yapha, for 3rd district; and Samboan Mayor Raymund Joseph Calderon for 2nd district.

No one Cebu mayor bet for Toledo

One Cebu made true its promise not to field a candidate against Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña in the 2016 elections.

The party only fielded candidates for vice mayor and four councilors following the declaration of support by Osmeña for the re-election bid of Gwendolyn Garcia.

Those who filed their certificates of candidacy yesterday under One Cebu were number one Councilor Ricardo “Kuya” Nick” Pepito for vice mayor and former mayor Arlene “Dayde” Espinosa Zambo, Councilor Louie Nicholas Espinosa and former councilor Eric Espinosa who are all siblings of former mayor Aurelio “Rudy” Espinosa.

Rudy, an ally of One Cebu, was defeated by Osmeña who won as independent in 2013 elections but his running mate, Vice Mayor Antonio Yapha Jr. belongs to the Liberal Party, who also defeated Zambo. 

The brother-in-law of Zambo, former Provincial Board member Caesar Ian Zambo did not show up yesterday to file his COC but Pepito said he has already the certificate of nomination and acceptance of One Cebu.

“This is my last term, I am consistent number one city councilor. Ako lang suwayan basin og matagaan og laing higayon ato’ng lapad-laparan ang serbisyo sa ato’ng siyudad,” Pepito said.

When he first joined politics, Pepito won first councilor in 2001. He ran for a seat in the PB in 2004 but failed. He again run for councilor in 2007 and placed seventh in the 10-member City Council and placed number one again in the 2010 and 2013 elections. —/BRP (FREEMAN)