ILOILO CITY — The five-day filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) in Iloilo was peaceful and orderly, the Commission on Elections here said.
At exactly 5 p.m. on Wednesday, both the city and provincial Comelec offices in Iloilo stopped receiving COCs of candidates. The filing of COCs started on October 11.
A total of 42 candidates filed their COCs for the gubernatorial, vice gubernatorial, congressmen, and provincial board members before the Comelec provincial office.
“It was very orderly,” said Elizabeth Doronilla, provincial election supervisor of Comelec-Iloilo, in an interview.
Five candidates are vying to become governor. They are last-termer 3rd District Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr., 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron, Esperidion Javier, Vicente Antay, and Jonry Gargarita.
For vice-governor, re-electionist Christine Garin will go up against last-termer Barotac Viejo Mayor Niel Tupas III.
Defensor and Tupas are the official candidates of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) while Biron and Garin tandem are running under the Nacionalista Party.
For the first district of Iloilo province, three members of the same family are gunning to serve as congressman. Rep. Richard Garin is seeking re-election but will have to face her wife, former Health secretary Janette Garin and his father, incumbent Guimbal Mayor Oscar Garin in the fight for the seat.
Former Miag-ao town mayor Gerry Flores is also vying for the same position.
Mayor Garin and Janette were the last to file their COCs at the Comelec office.
Doronilla said this is the first time in the history of the Comelec-Iloilo that three members from the same family will clash to capture the same seat.
Mayor Garin said they will still talk on how to resolve the issue on the position.
“We are fine-tuning the situation, nothing is very definite. This is just a preparation for any eventuality,” he added.
Meanwhile, seven candidates are up to contest the Iloilo City mayoral post, four bets are aspiring to serve as vice mayor, four for the lone congressional district, and 46 as members of the city council.
Doronilla said they will consolidate all the COCs filed and send copies to the central office. (/PNA)
