2 Negros Occidental town councilors facing murder charges file COCs for reelection

BACOLOD CITY — Two incumbent councilors of Moises Padilla town in Negros Occidental who are detained on charges of murder were escorted to the Commission on Elections on Tuesday to file their certificates of candidacy (COC).

Councilors Vincent Garcia and Morito Flores, who were implicated in the murder of town councilor Jolomar Hilario in 2019, are seeking reelections in next year’s polls.

They were accompanied by Mayor Ella Garcia Yulo and her entire slate and co-accused Quintin Remo and Barangay Captain Felisa Villaflor, among others.

Yulo’s running mate Vice Mayor Ian Villafor and reelectionist Councilor Jimmie Don Plaza, who are also facing similar charges, were accompanied by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation.

All the accused have said they are innocent of the murder charge filed against them, saying the charges were politically motivated.