Gatchalian brods eye swapping posts

MANILA, Philippines — Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian and District 1 Rep. Wes Gatchalian filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for each other’s posts yesterday.

Rex, who is on his third and last term as mayor, represented Valenzuela’s first district for two terms, from 2007 to 2013.

Wes, who is on his second term as congressman, now seeks to replace Rex as mayor. Wes also served as representative for the Alay Buhay party-list group from 2013 to 2016.

Before filing their COCs, Rex, Wes and their brother Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian – who has not declared his plan for the upcoming elections – prayed at the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Barangay Maysan.

Rex proceeded to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Metro Manila regional office to submit his candidacy as congressman.

“Nine more months to go till the end of the term… will work hard every day till the end of the term,” Rex said in his Facebook post, referring to his stint as mayor.

Vice Mayor Lorena Natividad-Borja and District 2 Rep. Eric Martinez are seeking reelection.

Biazon, Fresnedi switch it up

In Muntinlupa, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and Rep. Ruffy Biazon are hoping to switch positions in next year’s local elections.

The two men filed their respective COCs yesterday.

Fresnedi, who is on his last term as mayor, is gunning for a congressional seat while Biazon, who is on his second term as a lawmaker, is joining the mayoral race.