Frontrunners in 2010 polls taking time filing COCs

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  – Frontrunners in the 2010 elections are taking their time filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Liberal Party standard-bearer Sen. Benigno Aquino III and his running mate Sen. Manuel Roxas II will file their COCs on Nov. 28, while the tandem of ex-President Joseph Estrada and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay will file theirs on Nov. 30.

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda are planning to beat the deadline on Nov. 30 or Dec. 1.

With barely six days before the Dec. 1 deadline, the NP is maximizing the time to strengthen its hold on various provinces, this time in Iloilo City.

The NP is courting an incumbent member of the Arroyo cabinet to join its senatorial slate. Sources said the Cabinet member is expected to boost the party’s senatorial slate, which includes lawyer Adel Tamano, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand “Bong-Bong” Marcos Jr., and re-electionist Senators Pia Cayetano and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Villar refused to divulge details of the Cabinet member, pending final talks.

Former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, NP spokesman, has not decided whether he will join the senatorial lineup but Villar is ready to give him a slot.

Pending any hitches, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo and Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela are also reportedly being eyed as members of the NP senatorial slate.

NP raids Iloilo

In a bid to get a majority of about two million votes in this province, the Nacionalista Party swore in hundreds of grassroots leaders and local executives. Iloilo is a known bailiwick of former Sen. Franklin Drilon, who is from the LP, and former Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez.

But Villar has roots in Iloilo. His grandfather hailed from Molo and married his grandmother from Cabatuan, Iloilo. Three of Villar’s four sisters also married Ilonggos from Dumangas.

Also present during the oath taking was Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico, who introduced Villar as a “GI,” meaning Genuine Ilonggo.

At the event, Villar introduced Marcos as a very qualified man who has shown exemplary performance as former governor of Ilocos Norte.

Bizarre candidates such as the “Ultimate Messiah” and a man who crows like a rooster are seeking their moments of fame by making unlikely bids for president in next year’s Philippine elections.

Their chances of winning are nonexistent but they have given a splash of color to the start of a long election season in which the Philippines’ chaotic brand of democracy will be on full display. – With Sheila Crisostomo, Mayen Jaymalin