Slain mayor’s wife, incumbent politicians file COCs

MANILA, Philippines — The wife of a town mayor killed in an ambush earlier this month and incumbent officials seeking reelection or other posts were among those who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) yesterday.

Vice Mayor Wendy Joy Buquing of Supiden, La Union, who succeeded her husband, filed her COC for mayor.

Buquing’s husband Alexander and his police escort PO2 Rolando Juanbe and driver Bonifacio Depdepen were killed by motorcycle-riding men on Oct. 1.

Buquing has yet to fully recover after she suffered a gunshot wound in the head. 

Also in La Union, Mayor Dante Garcia of Tubao town filed his COC for congressman of the second district. 

Garcia is challenging the reelection bid of Rep. Sandra Young-Eriguel, whose husband Frannie, a former congressman, was shot as he was addressing candidates for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Agoo last May 12.

Eriguel filed her COC last Friday.

Switching posts

In Cebu, Gov. Hilario Davide III filed his COC for vice governor to allow Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale to run for governor.

At a press conference yesterday, Davide said they arrived at the decision only two nights ago.

Davide said the switch was “due to political pressure” even as he expressed his belief in Magpale’s capability.

“My decision came without pain and reservation. I firmly believe in her,” he said.

It will be a battle of two women as Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia also filed her COC for governor last week.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio recently met with Magpale to form an alliance between the Hugpong ng Pagbabago and Cebu’s Bakud party, which is in coalition with the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Magpale has yet to file her COC as she is still waiting for the certificate of nomination and acceptance from the NPC.

In Bulacan, Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, who are both in their third and last term, are also switching posts. They filed their COCs for vice governor and governor, respectively.

Ampatuan matriarch

The widow of former Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., Laila, filed her COC for mayor of Datu Unsay town on Monday.

Oping Ampatuan is contesting her grandmother’s mayoral bid.

Another grandson of the Ampatuan matriarch, Marop, is seeking reelection as mayor of Shariff Aguak. Marop will run against Zahara, his sister-in-law.   

Zahara is the wife of Anuar, a former mayor of Shariff Aguak, who is among those being prosecuted for his alleged involvement in the Maguindanao massacre.

Rival families

In Abra, members of Bernos and Seares clans are running against each other again.  

Rep. Joseph Bernos, who is seeking reelection, filed his COC yesterday. He will be pitted against former congresswoman Cecille Seares-Luna, whom she defeated in the 2016 elections. 

Bernos’ sister-in-law Jocelyn, the incumbent governor and wife of his brother Ysrael, who was assassinated at the La Paz town plaza when he was mayor in 2000, also filed her COC for reelection. 

The mayor of Dolores town, Roberto Seares Jr. is reportedly challenging the reelection bid of Jocelyn. 

However, Roberto’s cousin Loreto Seares, former Abra Electric Cooperative general manager, also filed his COC for governor yesterday.  

Sibling rivalry

In another case of sibling rivalry, Agusan del Norte Gov. Maria Angelica Amante-Matba announced yesterday that she would run against her brother Rep. Erlpe John Amante.

“If he seeks reelection I will also run for Congress. If he runs and files his certificate of candidacy for governor, I will... seek re-election,” Matba said.

Amante is expected to file his COC today.

Mayor Ramon Guico III of Binalonan town filed his COC for congressman of the fifth district of Pangasinan.

He will run against Rep. Amado Espino who is seeking another term.

Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat islands, who is in her third term, filed her COC for governor.

In Zambales, outgoing Subic Mayor Jefferson Khonghun filed his COC for vice governor. – Artemio Dumlao, John Unson, Ben Serrano, Bebot Sison, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Eva Visperas,  Delon Porcalla, Lorraine Mitzi Ambrad/The Freeman