1,373 persons filed COCs

CEBU, Philippines —  In Cebu, a total of 1,373 individuals filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the May 2019 polls, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

This includes the aspirants from the 53 local government units that include the highly urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.

Of the total number, 29 are running for the posts at the House of Representatives, 26 for Provincial Board member, 136 for mayor, 117 for vice mayor, and 1,060 for city or municipal councilor.

For the congressional aspirants, three are from the First District, three in the Second District, three in the third District, two in the Fourth District, three in the Fifth District, three in the Sixth District, and two in the Seventh District. Only one will be elected per district.

For the Cebu Provincial Board, there are three aspirants in the First District, four in the Second District, four in the Third District, four in Fourth District, four in the Fifth District, four in Sixth District, and three in Seventh District. Only two will be elected per legislative district.

In the provincial level, three are running as governor namely Boyet Cortes (independent), Gwendolyn Garcia of PDP-LABAN/1 Cebu, and Agnes Magpale of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Meanwhile, only two are aspiring to become vice governors that include Hilario Davide of the Liberal party and Daphne Salimbangon of the PDP-LABAN/1 Cebu.

In the mayoral race, Toledo City has the most number of aspirants for mayor.

While most cities and towns only have two, Toledo has five.

They are Merly Abad (Independent), Walter Lao (NPC), Marjorie Perales (Independent), Neil Riveral (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi) and Arlene Zambo (PDP/1 Cebu).

Incumbent mayor John Henry Osmeña has chosen to run for congressman of the third congressional district.

The same city tops on the vice mayoral race with four aspirants namely Ricardo Pepito (PDP/1CEBU), Jay Sigue (Independent), Miles Trocio Jr. (Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi) and reelectionist Antonio Yapha Jr. (NPC).

Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano said that they are not officially called candidate until the final list has been determined in November.

This is because substitution can still be made until next month.

The official list of candidates will be out by November 29.

After which, the Comelec head office will print out the official ballots specified for a specific city or town.

For the Capitol posts, a total of 50 aspirants filed their Certificates of Candidacy at the Comelec - Cebu Province.

This is lower than the 76 aspirants that filed their COC last 2016.

The bulk of the aspirants filed their COC on the last day of the filing, which account to 27.

"This year's filing is really full of surprises," Castillano had said.

He recalled that there have been a lot of switches and unexpected candidates for the different elective positions. — GAN (FREEMAN)