CEBU, Philippines - One hundred four candidates are running for different positions in the city government based on the actual list of those who filed their Certificates of Candidacy before the Commission on Elections the other day.
Of the 104 candidates, 13 are running for mayor, eight for vice mayor, 14 for congressman, and 69 for councilors – 34 for the north district and 35 for the south district.
The mayoralty candidates include incumbent vice mayor Michael Rama, John Henry Osmeña, Georgia Osmena, Jacinto Iran, Crisologo Saavedra, Cristituto Abangan, Rodolfo Laconza, Samuel Darza, Salvador Solima, Anastacio dela Cruz, Fermiliano Dapitan, Ricci Ranili, and Landolino Bontilao.
Meanwhile, the candidates for vice mayor include Joy Augustus Young, Jonah John Rodriguez, Rico Palcuto, Emmanuel Pacquiao, Jovencio Talite, Jessica Go, Crescente Busalla, and Baby Ian Baguio.
Candidates for representatives for the north district are Rachel Marguerite del Mar, Jacinto del Mar, Mary Ann delos Santos, Juan Arenasa, Francisco Ashley Acedillo, Florencio Villaren, Isabelo Osmeña, and Miguel Selim.
Candidates for representatives in the south district are Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Jonathan Guardo, Leah Ong, Edgar Abadiano, Makilito Mahinay, and Rolando Aguanta.
City Election Officer Attorney Marchel Sarno said that they are now preparing for the report that will be submitted to the Comelec provincial office. In turn, the provincial office will forward the report to the Comelec central office in Manila for printing.
Lawyer Raymond Garcia, spokesperson of Kugi Uswag Sugbu (Kusug) said the party will have a “grand substitution” in their lineup in the next few days. The party is most likely to replace their candidates for mayor and vice mayor that, at present, include Landelino Bontilao and Jonah John Rodriguez.
Garcia said they are just waiting for Government Service Insurance System President Winston Garcia to accept the offer to run for mayor. Winston reportedly has the liberty to choose his runningmate.
For his part, the mayor described the move of Kusug as a “big insult to the Cebuanos” by fielding not only the “recycled losers” but also a convicted candidate.
Rodriguez was convicted by the court in 2006 for sending “nasty and threatening” text messages to his wife Margot.
“Para nako, sobra na nga ilang gigamit ang mga recycled losers. Dako na kaayo nang insulto sa mga tawo. Pero ila pang gigamit ang convicted sex pervert,” Osmeña said.
Sarno, nevertheless, said the Comelec will allow all parties until December 14 to substitute the candidates in their slates. He also clarified that only those who belong to a party can be replaced and the dislodged candidate will be barred from seeking another elected position. — Elly T. Bolonos/JMO (THE FREEMAN)