Kalinga candidate who lost 2019 gubernatorial race by just 10 votes files COC

After losing the gubernatorial race by 10 votes at the 2019 polls in Kalinga, former vice governor James Edduba filed his COC at the Comelec to run again for governor of the province in next year’s elections. Contributed photo

TUGUEGARAO CITY — The former vice governor who lost by a mere ten-vote margin with the incumbent governor during the elections in 2019, was among the first-day filers of certificate of candidacy (COC) in Kalinga Province on Friday, October 1, provincial election office reported.

James Edduba, a former three-term Pasil town mayor who was elected vice governor in 2016, lost to incumbent Governor Ferdinand Tubban by merely 10 votes in 2019.

An election recount is pending before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) second division after Edduba filed a challenge, claiming that he was cheated.

“I will be proven correct if the Comelec will hasten the revision process,” he said in an online interview Friday night.

Edduba, 56, belongs to the Lakas-CMD, which issued his nomination for governor.

Another first-day COC filer was Mark Aldrich Diasen for board member in the second district.

In Tabuk City, two bets have filed their COCs for mayor — Josephine Balmaceda Odsey and Macario Dawadao Balanggao Jr. and one for vice mayor lawyer Dick Bal-o.

Councilor bets Alvin Bacwaden, lawyer Errol Comafay Jr. and Samuel Suma-al also filed their COCs.

In Pinukpuk town, Irving Dasayon filed for mayor while Celestino Dong-as filed for councilor on the first day.