‘Normal’ day with few COCs filed

CEBU, Philippines - Not many submitted their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) in Cebu Province yesterday, which an election official said was a “normal” first day.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said that normally, just a few candidates show up on the very first day to formalize their intent to seek public office.

By 6 p.m. yesterday, only 209 filed their COCs for barangay captain while 1,815 submitted theirs for the barangay councilor post.  They came from just 26 of the 53 cities and municipalities of Cebu.

Castillano said there were those who visited election offices merely to ask for forms or to seek advice on requirements or regulations related to their candidacy.

Also, Castillano said the first day of the filing of COCs in the province was generally peaceful.  He said Comelec’s security arrangements with the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies already include the days for the filing of COCs.

Candidates for the Oct. 28 barangay elections only have one week, or until Oct. 17, to complete and submit their COCs.  The campaign period officially starts on Oct. 18 and ends on the 26th.

Castillano reminded that based on Comelec regulations, once the COC is filed, a person is officially an election candidate and is therefore already subject to all rules and regulations governing the campaign.

Wily candidates often file their COCs on the last day, because they can still unofficially campaign without having to contend with election laws as they are not yet considered as candidates if they have not filed their COCs yet even when the campaign period starts on Oct. 18 yet.

They can still go around the barangays introducing themselves to different neighborhoods and even shaking hands of their future constituents, maximizing visibility and memory recall.

The Comelec earlier stressed that campaigning should start on the 18th and violation of this rule may result in the disqualification of the candidate.

In Cebu City, among those seeking the post of barangay captain, Mayor Michael Rama’s chief of staff had the “grandest” entrance with a motorcade from Barangay Tisa to the Comelec south district office.

Philip Zafra brought with him supporters with streamers and even played his campaign jingle. He is facing off with former barangay captain and incumbent Tisa Barangay Councilor Eduardo Cabulao, an ally of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) stalwart Tomas Osmeña, whom Rama defeated in the elections last May.

While the law states that barangay elections are supposedly “non-partisan,” most candidates are members or have identified themselves with local political parties.

Jacinto Cambonga, who is running for councilor in the south district’s Barangay Pahina San Nicolas, was first to file at 8:05 a.m. For the north district,  re-electionist Kalubihan Barangay Captain Carmelo Millan was first when he arrived  at the Comelec office at 8:10 a.m.

Other re-electionist barangay captains who showed up at the Comelec office are Busay’s Eliodoro “Yody” Sanchez and Adlaon’s Elvis Narra.

Narra was recently chosen by the Department of Interior and Local Government as the “Most Outstanding Barangay Captain in Central Visayas.”

The award was based on his exemplary performance in the discharge of his functions.

Former Tabunan barangay captain Lemar Alcover is also seeking a barangay elective post, but this time as Sambag I barangay captain.

Last May, he ran for Tabogon town mayor under the One Cebu Party but lost.  Lemar is the son of Alliance of National Democracy Party-list head Pastor “Jun” Alcover.  — /RHM (FREEMAN)