More aspirants file COCs in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  Three aspirants for congressional seats in Cebu province’s fourth district have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC).

One of them is incumbent Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President and ex-officio Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, who is challenging incumbent Congresswoman Janice Salimbangon who already filed her COC last October 5.

Martinez filed his COC under the Partido ng Pilipino sa Pagbabag (PPP), while Salimbangon is under National Unity Party (NUP).

This is not the first time that the Martinez and Salimgangon are vying for Congress.

In 2019 midterm elections, Tining’s father, former Bogo city Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez, ran for Congress in the fourth district, but lost to Janice.

Janice, the wife of the late congressman Benhur Salimbangon, is seeking reelection for her second term.

Martinez, who currently serves as ABC president of Cebu province and barangay captain of Cayang in Bogo City, said one of his plans, if given the chance to sit in Congress, is assist the needs of the barangays in his district.

“I would bring what I learned as ABC president in Congress and figure out how it could help the barangays, also assist to the needs sa atong barangay captain, barangay officials and the barangay itself,” he said.

This is aside from the plans and projects to help solve and improve the education and health system in the fourth district.

Another congressional aspirant is also seeking for Congress, challenging Salimbangon and Martinez.

He is Salvador Cariaga, a farm owner in Bogo city, who filed his COC yesterday before the Comelec-Cebu Province as an independent candidate.

Cariaga believes that the solution to the economic problem is self- sustainability through food security.

He admitted that he has no political background but prompted to run in the hopes to help solve poverty.

“I’ve never been involved in politics. Unfortunately, the state of our nation is in need of leadership, we need leaders that are incorruptible, I have no money, I have no budget, I have no party, I have no machinery.”

“Today is the first time I have actually talk about politics and I believe that even (if) I don’t win, I can be a part of a conversation in how to address what our country needs. it needs men with principle, it needs men of character. But I just don’t bring word, I help to transform people’s lives. I’m a poverty fighter, I help people believe in themselves, I help them believe in their country, and I help them believe in God,” he said.

Yesterday, several local aspirants flocked to Comelec-Cebu to file their COCs for next year’s polls.

Among them are the Calderon twin brothers.  Seventh district Congressman Peter John Calderon filed his COC seeking for his third term in Congress, while former mayor and Samboan ABC President Raymond Joseph Calderon will run as provincial board member in the second district.

Peter John is running under National People’s Coalition (NPC), while Raymond is running under

NUP-One Cebu.

Seventh district Board Member Jerome Librando also filed his COC yesterday as re- electionist.  On the other hand, incumbent 2nd district Board Member Jose Mari “Tata” Salvador sought for a higher post.

Salvador filed his COC as congressman in his district under NUP.

Other aspirants who filed their COCs yesterday were Nelson Mondigo and Jose Brainard Mayol, both running as board members in the fourth district.

In the first district, Roger Cimafranca and Simplicio Danatil  also filed their COCs as independent candidates seeking a post in the provincial board. — KQD (FREEMAN)