SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — No certificate of candidacy was filed before the provincial and municipal offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Antique on Thursday.
Comelec Provincial Election Supervisor III, lawyer Roberto A. Salazar said they had long prepared for the start of the COC filing, but so far none has come forward to file their candidacies as of this posting.
“We have received no information that there would be candidates who would be filing their COCs today,” Salazar said in an interview.
He said based on past experiences, Antiqueño politicians usually file their COCs towards the deadline, which will be on October 17.
There are two opposing political parties expected in the local elections in Antique.
Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao leads the local LCD (Legarda, Cadiao, Denosta) team that trumpets Loren Legarda for congresswoman, and reelectionists Governor Rhodora Cadiao and Vice Governor Edgar Denosta.
Cadiao belongs to the NUP (National Unity Party) while Loren and Denosta with the NPC (National People’s Coalition).
The other opposing party is led by Exequiel Javier, father of incumbent Congressman Paolo Everardo Javier.
The father and son tandem ran under the banner of the Liberal Party in the previous polls but they will be running under PDP-Laban in the May 2019 elections.
“I remind candidates to make sure that they have the latest form used in filing their COCs,” Salazar added.
He added that the Comelec provincial office has the form available since a week ago or they can download it from the Comelec website.
Candidates seeking positions for congressman, governor, vice governor and board members should also file their COCs at the Comelec provincial office, while the mayor and councilors should file them in their respective municipal Comelec offices. (Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA)
