Candidates for ’07 elections down to 22,000 in final count

The total number of candidates for this year’s elections dropped by almost 22,000 compared to that of the 2004 elections.

A total of 46,003 candidates are vying for various local elective posts in the country in the coming May 14 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced yesterday.

Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra said in a press conference at the poll body’s head office in Intramuros, Manila that the number is much lower than that of the last elections, where about 68,000 candidates filed their certificates of candidacy.

The poll body also noted that in Maguindanao province, 19 mayoralty candidates are running unopposed.

These are in Datu Abdullah Sangki, South Upi, Pandag, Datu Paglas, Mangudadatu, Buluan, Gen. SK Pendatun, Paglat, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Talayan, Sultan sa Barongis, Shariff Aguak, Raja Buayan, Mamasapano, Suindulungan, Datu Piang, Pagagawan and Datu Anggal Midtimbang.

Only two towns – Pagalungan and Talitay – have opposing mayoralty candidates.

He said that while there are other places in the country where a mayoralty candidate is running unopposed, it is interesting to note that these 19 towns are all in one province.

Borra said that this development would somehow help ensure a peaceful election, since there would not be much political contest, which could cause election related violence.

"If there is no contest, there is no trouble. We would have a little more peaceful elections in areas where there are fewer candidates because there would be less political battle, no intense political rivalry," Borra said.

According to Comelec records, there are 690 candidates for congressman, 242 for governor, 209 for vice governor, 1,802 for board member, 360 for city mayor, 369 for city vice mayor, 3,503 for city councilor, 3,845 for municipal mayor, 3,746 for municipal vice mayor and 31,237 for municipal councilor.

These candidates are scattered all over the country’s 220 congressional districts, 81 provinces, 118 cities and 1,510 towns.

Borra said that there is an average of three candidates per locality. – James Mananghaya