PJ among first to file COC

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia and two others were the first ones who visited the Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor’s Office to submit their respective certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday, the first day of filing.

The two others were farmer and farm owner Salvador Cariaga and veterinarian Odysseus "Ody" Camarillo.

According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor Province of Cebu, Cebu 3rd District Representative PJ Garcia, who will seek reelection is the first official who filed his COC at exactly 8 a.m.

Garcia, who will be in his last term, said there is “no particular reason” for him to submit his COC on the first day of the filing.

“It's just that I was done filling up the COC and there was no point delaying it,” Garcia told The Freeman.

In an official statement on his social media account, Garcia laid the reasons why he is confident in seeking a reelection in the third legislative district of Cebu Province.

"I am confident in my record as a legislator and as an advocate for meaningful infrastructure projects and socio-economic programs that make a difference in the lives and livelihoods of the people of the six municipalities and one city in the third district,” he said.

“In the 18th and 19th Congresses, I was principal author of 227 bills and co-author of 120 others, all of national importance, 49 of which have become law," he added.

Among those he said he is proudest of are the law Republic Act (RA) 12009, or the “New Government Procurement Act”; RA 11964 or the “Automatic Income Classification of Local Government Units Act”; RA 11901 or the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act; and RA 11573 improving the confirmation process of imperfect land titles.

“I believe that I have much more to offer both in legislation and in championing infrastructure, health, livelihood and education. For this reason, I once more humbly seek the mandate, the trust and confidence that the people of the Third District of Cebu have continually and consistently bestowed upon me.” the incumbent congressman said.

As reported, the One Cebu Party, the dominant political party in Cebu province, endorsed Garcia in the party’s congressional slate during the its convention, which gathered around one thousand local officials, on Monday.

Along with him were 1st district Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas; incumbent 2nd district Rep. Edsel Galeos; incumbent 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia; incumbent 4th district Rep. Janice Salimbangon; incumbent 5th district Rep. and Deputy Speaker Vincent “Duke” Frasco; incumbent 6th distirct Rep. Daphne Lagon; Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon; and Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King Chan.

One Cebu Party also bannered the first-timer for public service, Dr. Patricia Calderon for the 7th district.

And for the first time, One Cebu Party has endorsed a candidate in Cebu City--incumbent Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar. The party has also endorsed Ako Bisaya Partylist, wherein the governor’s youngest daughter, Carissa Garcia, is its second nominee, with Rep. Sonny Lagon as the first nominee.

On the other hand, in a cowboy costume, Cariaga, a farmer and owner of Arapal Nature Farm in Bogo City in northern Cebu, filed his COC to once again run as congressman for Cebu’s 4th district as an independent candidate. He is the second aspirant who filed COC in the Comelec office.

Though defeated in the last 2022 elections, saying he only had two thousand votes, Cariaga said that what is important is to influence and educate the youth.

“My mission as a political candidate is to feed the soul and hearts of the people nga dili ta kinahanglan mulangyaw para mahimong ulipon sa ubang nasud. Pwede ta magpabilin ug mahimong hari sa atong nasod,” she said.

“It gives me a platform to be able to speak my passion in helping people to fight poverty and break the cycle. My solution is different from other political candidates. I think mine is fresh, mine is new, and mine is different, it comes from the heart and I have a physical experience being in the front line," he added.

As an aspirant, Cariaga said that he will champion to fight poverty and giving people hope by teaching them sustainability in farming.

“The solution to poverty is not really in the politicians, the solution to poverty is you, naa sa tao,” he said.

Meanwhile, the only aspirant who filed his candidacy yesterday afternoon was Camarillo, a 48-year-old doctor of veterinary medicine.

Camarillo, who is from Argao in southern Cebu, seeks to run for the 2nd district Provincial Board seat as an independent candidate. He filed his COC at 3:25 p.m.

Meanwhile, Comelec Cebu Provincial Supervisor Marchel Sarno said their office expects that aspirants will come on the last day of the filing.

“Expected nato by October 8 daghan kay usahay ang atong mga kandidato tan-awon pod nila og kinsa ilang kontra,” he said.

Sarno also reminded those aspirants to complete necessary documents and requirements before coming to the office.

The supervisor likewise reminded that their office does not issue or sell documentary stamps, which is one of the requirements of the filing.

“Ang Comelec wala mag-issue o namaligya og documentary stamps. Mao nay ganahan nako ipahibalo, kay basin muari sila especially on the last hour sa atong filing of Certificate of Candidacy, wala sila anang docstamps, ma neglect nila so basin ba og masuko na nuon sila kung di dawaton,” Sarno said.

He said that the documentary stamps can be purchased either in Bureau of Internal Revenue or in the City Treasurer’s Office. He added that the Comelec will also accept the receipt of the documentary stamps if the said offices won’t give the actual stamps.

In terms of peace and security, Sarno said they are in coordination with the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO).

In fact, a police assistance desk is installed outside the Comelec office to regulate the peace and security during the filing until October 8 at 5 PM.

Sarno likewise reminded the aspiring candidates that aside from bringing their COCs with them, patience should also be present.

“Hangyo nako sa mu-file og Certificate of Candidacy dad-on nila ang tanang dokumento, daghan na gani kaayo ang mu-file, dad-on sad nila ang pasensya kay eleksiyon man ni dili man ni nga personal file, tanan man naay katungod sa pag file,” said Sarno.— (FREEMAN)