MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s son and former Davao City vice mayor Paolo was among those who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) yesterday.
Paolo, who is running for congressman of the first district of Davao City, was accompanied by his sister Sara Duterte-Carpio and his brother-in-law Manases Carpio.
Paolo said his bid for a seat in Congress was agreed upon by his family members.
He said he has not discussed his decision with his father, but the President is aware of his political plans.
Paolo resigned last Christmas following a spat with his daughter and amid reports of his alleged involvement in drug smuggling. The President accepted Paolo’s resignation last Jan. 5.
Sen. Chiz Escudero, whose term as a senator will end next year, is running for governor of Sorsogon.
Escudero was with his wife actress Heart Evangelista when he filed his COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Sorsogon.
He filed his COC as an independent, but he was nominated by the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) as its gubernatorial bet.
Outgoing Mayor Manuel Fortes of Barcelona town of the NPC is Escudero’s runningmate.
Mikey running again
In Pampanga, the eldest son of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo filed his COC for congressman of the third district.
Juan Miguel ”Mikey”Arroyo will replace his mother who is on her third term.
Mikey arrived with Gov. Lilia Pineda and her son Dennis, the incumbent vice governor.
Lilia and Dennis filed their COCs for vice governor and governor, respectively.
In Zambales, former governor Hermogenes Ebdane is the first gubernatorial bet who filed his COC.
In Bulacan, third district Rep. Lorna Silverio is seeking reelection under the National Unity Party.
Unlucky Friday?
Until noon yesterday, no one had filed a COC at the Comelec office in Dagupan, Pangasinan.
Marino Salas, provincial election supervisor, said candidates have a superstitious belief that Friday is not a lucky day.
Salas said the influx of candidates is expected from Monday until the deadline for the filing of COCs on Wednesday.
On Thursday, only six candidates filed their COCs at the Comelec provincial office in Pangasinan. They include Bolinao Mayor Arnold Celeste, who is running for congressman in the first district; his brother, Alaminos Mayor Arthur, who is running for governor, and provincial board member Raul Sison who is running for congressman of the second district.
Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. and Vice Gov. Francis Tauli, who are seeking reelection, filed their COCs on Thursday.
In Baguio City also on Thursday, Rep. Marquez Go, who is seeking a second term, and former congressman Nicasio Aliping Jr., who wants to regain his seat, also filed their COCs. – With Paolo Romero, Ding Cervantes, Bebot Sison, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Eva Visperas, Artemio Dumlao