Garcias lead One Cebu COC filing
A total of 43 individuals have filed their bids as candidates in Cebu province, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.
White polo shirts with the logo of “1Cebu” branded candidates of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s administration party as they walked down from the Capitol building to the Comelec office past 11 a.m. to file their campaign bids.
First to file his Certificate of Candidacy was her father Rep. Pablo Garcia of the 2nd district. He is seeking a third and last term.
He was followed by youngest son, Rep. Pablo John Garcia, who is running for governor and Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV for vice governor.
Governor Garcia also filed her COC as 3rd district representative, Pablo John’s bailiwick.
In contrast to the fanfare, Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale of the Bakud-LP and 5th district partymates filed their COCs in the Comelec early in more quiet circumstances.
They showed up past 8 a.m. Agnes and son, Miguel Antonio Magpale who is running for the Provincial Board in the 5th district, submitted their papers with PB candidate Jude Sybico and Ace Durano who is running for congressman.
PB Member Wilfredo Caminero also filed his COC early at 8 a.m. He was accompanied by Argao townmate and ally, former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr.
In an interview, Gov. Garcia said voters in midwest Cebu in the 3rd district can expect to see her work as hard as she did in her three terms as governor.
“It may even be double the attention because it’s a smaller area for me to take care of,” she said in Cebuano.
“Magpadayon gayud ang akong way kinutoban nga tinguha,” she told reporters.
Pablo John, who came with his wife and two daughters, said he was “getting good endorsements from various leaders who believes that I have the capability to lead the province.”
He said his platform with Durano was to continue the programs of Gwen in Cebu province.
Other One Cebu Party candidates: Sergio Restauro and Julian Daan for Provincial Board (PB) in the first district; Boljoon Mayor Teresita “Daday” Celis and Carmiano Kintanar for PB in the second district; Alex Binghay and Ian Zambo for PB in the third district; Benjamin Batiquin Jr and Remar Degamo for PB in the fifth district; and Elmer Cabahug for the sixth district.
An entertainer and a native of Tayud in Liloan town filed his COC as candidate for congressman in the 5th district. They were all accompanied by their district chairman, Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco and wife, Christina Codilla Frasco.
Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, former 6th district congresswoman, filed her COC for her former seat in the House.
She said she was returning to politics “to strengthen support for the campaign” of One Cebu officials in the district after hearing complaints about the performance of Rep. Luis Quisumbing, her former ally in 2010.
Before the filing of COCs, One Cebu party held a Mass at the Capitol’s Social Hall and were blessed by Fr. Dan delos Angeles afterward.
Others who filed on the last day were Liberal Party’s candidate for congress in the 4th district, Celestino “Tining” Martinez III and Jose Layon for PB seat.
Other Liberals like PB Members Arleigh Sitoy and Thadeo Ouano filed their COC at 11am.
The last LP member to file was Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha who is running against Governor Garcia in the 3rd district.
Yapha was accompanied by her father, former congressman Dr. Antonio “Jun” Yapha and her mother.
