CEBU, Philippines — Bets from established political parties filed their certificates of candidacies (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday afternoon.
Team Libre of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Team Genuine Opposition of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) led by their bets, incumbent Pajo Barangay Captain Junard Chan and Rolando Quirubin Patalinghug, respectively, went to Comelec on the fourth day of filing of COCs for the May 2019 midterm elections.
Chan was escorted by Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer (PLLO) Adelino Sitoy, former Cordova town mayor.
PDP-Laban, a former party of Patalinghug, endorsed Chan as the ruling party’s official candidate for mayor.
Patalinghug, in an interview, did not hide his disappointment over PDP-Laban’s decision.
But he said he respects the party’s decision.
This is Patalinghug’s second attempt to seek the city's mayoralty post. In 2016, Patalinghug ran against Mayor Paz Radaza, but lost.
Patalinghug was accompanied by his running mate Ernesto Tumulak and the party’s congressional bet, Queenie Cabahug.
On the other hand, Chan’s running mate is Dr. Celedonio Sitoy, brother of PLLO Sitoy, while former city councilor Atty. Eugene Espedido will run for Congress.
Paz-Chan tandem?
In a separate interview, Chan dismissed the Paz-Chan tandem, saying there is no such thing.
"Di na mahitabo. Di ta kadawat sa atong bahin," he said.
Chan also denied reports that he used Radaza's name during a consultation with city constituents.
Radaza earlier said there were groups that took advantage of her name.
This reportedly prompted Radaza to leave PDP-Laban and return to Lakas-CMD, which is eyeing alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ngPagbabago (HNP) regional party.
Radaza's move was to "avoid confusion.”
Radaza is serving her third and last term as mayor.
She will run for Congress, replacing her daughter Aileen, who decided to rest for a while from politics.
Radaza is expected to file her COC today together with her new mayoralty and vice-mayoralty bets under local Team Deretso.
Meanwhile, in Mandaue City, incumbent Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing and his slate will file their COCs at 10 a.m. at the Comelec office.
Prior to filing, the group will attend a 9 a.m. mass at the National Shrine of St. Joseph. — KBQ (FREEMAN)