Ermita to file COC as daughter's substitute

MANILA, Philippines - Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita will file today his certificate of candidacy (COC) as a “substitute” for his youngest daughter, to run for Congress representing the first district of Batangas.

Ermita himself made the announcement during his news briefing at the Palace when asked about any possible substitution of administration candidates before the Dec. 14 deadline of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Ermita’s daughter, Liza Ermita-Abad, filed her COC last Dec. 1.

Ermita, however, said he would likely remain as executive secretary in the next several weeks following the Supreme Court ruling allowing appointive officials, who have filed their COCs, to stay in their posts until the start of the campaign period.

Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs Prospero Pichay said it was possible that there would be more substitutions in the coming days.

The same could happen with Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr., whose wife Marissa filed her COC for the congressional race in Camarines Sur, and Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, whose son also filed a COC in Quezon province.

Among the Cabinet officials who have filed their COCs were Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who is running for senator under Lakas-Kampi-CMD; Presidential Management Staff chief Hermogenes Esperon, for congressman of the sixth district of Pangasinan; Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez, for mayor of Iloilo City (Lakas-Kampi-CMD); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority chairman Augusto Syjuco Jr., for congressman of Iloilo’s second district (Lakas-Kampi-CMD); Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, for congressman of Bohol’s third district (Lakas-Kampi-CMD); Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza, for Manila mayor (Liberal Party); Deputy National Security Adviser Luis Singson for governor of Ilocos Sur (Lakas-Kampi-CMD); Subic-Clark Alliance for Development head Ed Pamintuan, for mayor of Angeles City; and Press Undersecretary Anthony Golez, for congressman of Bacolod’s lone district (NPC).