Businessman to challenge Paolo Duterte’s House bid

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s eldest son, Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte, is not running unopposed in next year’s elections.

Businessman Jamal Ranon Kanan filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Monday to challenge Paolo’s reelection bid.

Paolo said he welcomes his rival for the House seat, noting that “elections give the people the power to choose their leaders.”

“This is a democratic exercise,” he said in a text message.

In 2019, Paolo won by a landslide against Susan Uyanguren and Rex Labis.

Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte filed Paolo’s COC on Sunday as the congressman, who contracted COVID-19, is still recuperating in a hospital.

On Saturday, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio filed her COC for a third term.

In Iloilo City, Mayor Jerry Treñas and Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon filed their COC yesterday for the same posts.

Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia and his brother second district Rep. Jose Garcia III filed their COC for congressman and governor, respectively.

Their brother Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia is seeking reelection.

In Olongapo, actress Claudine Barretto was among the candidates for councilor who filed their COC.

Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr., who is seeking reelection, and Zambales second district Rep. Cheryl Deloso-Montalla, who is running for governor, said they would file their COC today.

Subic Mayor Jon Khonghun, who is seeking another term, is filing his COC also today.

Botolan Mayor Bing Maniquiz, who is on her last term, is running for representative of the second district of Zambales. Former governor Amor Deloso is seeking the same congressional seat.

Firmalo running for Romblon gov

In Romblon, former governor and congressman Eduardo Firmalo filed his COC for governor on Tuesday.

Firmalo filed his COC with congressional candidate and tabloid publisher Joey Venancio and Vice Gov. Felix Ylagan, who is seeking reelection.

Firmalo, who was governor of Romblon from 2010 to 2019, is running under the Liberal Party.

Venancio and Ylagan are with Aksyon Demokratiko.

Firmalo’s daughter Trina is seeking her third term as mayor of Odiongan. Her running mate Diven Dimaala is eyeing his second term as vice mayor.

In Abra, it would be another battle between the Valera and Luna families.

Former Bangued mayor Ryan Luna and his brother Buck Roger filed their COC as mayor and vice mayor, respectively.

The siblings will be pitted against former vice mayor Mila Acosta-Valera and her grandson Joaquin Bernos.

Ryan’s elder brother Jendrix, former mayor of Lagayan town, will challenge Mayor Dominic Valera in the gubernatorial race.

Handcuffed bets file COC

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Ian Villaflor and three incumbent councilors of Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental, who were detained in connection with the killing of a councilor in 2019, filed their COC on Tuesday.

The four, who arrived at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in handcuffs, were escorted by policemen and operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Councilors Jimmie Don Plaza, Vincent Garcia and Morito Flores as well as Villaflor were charged with murder for the killing of Councilor Jolomar Hilario.

Local government officials said the town should be placed under the control of the Comelec to ensure the safety of candidates and voters. – Gilbert Bayoran, Bebot Sison Jr., Jennifer Rendon, Ric Sapnu, Artemio Dumlao