21 political bets withdraw certificate of candidacy

CEBU, Philippines — Twenty-one political aspirants from 10 local government units in Cebu withdrew their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2019 midterm polls.

The number was recorded from October 18 to November 29, the last day of filing for substitution.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will no longer allow the substitution of bets who would withdraw their COCs after Nov. 29.

In the three-page Resolution 10430 promulgated on Oct. 1, the poll body said “no substitution due to withdrawal shall be allowed” after that date, thus amending Resolution 10420, which provides that the “substitute for a candidate who died, withdrew his candidacy or was disqualified by final judgment may file a COC up to mid-day of Election Day.”

Comelec records showed that withdrawals took place in the cities of Bogo, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay and Toledo, and the municipalities of Alcoy, Cordova, Daanbantayan, Liloan, Sibonga and Santander.

In Bogo City in northern Cebu, the whole slate of the National Unity Party withdrew their COCs.

Mayoralty bet Elibrado Sinangote was substituted by Arturo Pacifico, while Ma. Doris Mendoza, who filed her COC for vice mayor, was replaced by AL Escarro.

Samson Balambao, Renato Mandawe, Wilfredo Manubag, Jose Ancero, and Eliezer Lipon filed their COCs for a seat in the council by way of substitution, replacing Wileen Gomez, Carlos Condor, Edgardo Bacasmas, Nestoro Eltagunde, and Jennifer Requiza.

In Cordova town, incumbent Vice Mayor Boyet Tago, who seeks reelection, switched position with his partner, Atty. Rodrigo Jumao-as. Both of them have Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) from the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Tago will now be running for mayor against incumbent Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho and two others. Jumao-as, on the other hand, will run for vice mayor against three other aspirants.

In Santander town, two candidates for town councilor under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino - Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN) withdrew their COCs, but still no substitute. They are Josefina Buscato and Jimmy Serencio.

The same scenario happened in Talisay City where Ma. Ludina Ceniza withdrew her COC for councilor and still has no substitute.

Two candidates for councilor in Alcoy town also withdrew their COCs. They are Felix Quitara and Romeo Geraldizo.

Since both of them are independent candidates, Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said they cannot be substituted due to the lack of a CONA.

In Toledo City, Neil Riveral was replaced by Jose Noel Cavada for mayor, while Ma. Ida Gabato was substituted by Jeah Jean Edoloverio for councilor. Both of them are affiliated with Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi.

Nick Pepito also withdrew his COC for vice mayor and will run for councilor. This left 1Cebu with no candidate for vice mayor in the city.

The other aspirants who withdrew their COCs were Ray Torbeso who was replaced by Tito Satera for mayor (Sibonga town); Teodorica Cortes who was replaced by Anabelle Lara for councilor (Lapu-Lapu City); Maria Teresita Clarissa who was substituted by Annie Tangonan for councilor (Liloan town); and Marie Queenlee Tamacruz who was substituted by Wendell Rosell for councilor (Daanbantayan).

In the provincial level, Rodolfo Flormata was replaced by his partymate Dr. Ron del Mar who  will be running for 1st district representative. In the 5th district, Alfie Pepito still has no replacement after he withdrew his COC.

Castillano said the posting of the official list of candidates will be on December 7.

He said the candidates still have the chance to notify the poll body if they want to change their names which will appear on the ballots.

With the substitution schedule ended, Castillano said only two options remain if one wishes to avail of substitution. One may replace if the official candidate dies or s/he is disqualified.

“Mapulihan lang in case the candidate dies or ma-disqualify,” he said.

However, he or she must have a similar last name to avoid confusion especially that the ballots are expected printed by then, said Castillano.

The printing of the official ballots is expected to begin in late December or in January.  The midterm polls are set on May 13, 2019. — KBQ (FREEMAN)