The final hours of the final day set to file certificates of candidacy for the 2013 elections provided sharp changes in the electoral matchups anticipated by various sectors in the provinces.
In Bulacan, the Liberal Party (LP) paved the way for an ally of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to run unopposed, after Rep. Joselito Mendoza, LP provincial chair, decided to drop his plan to oppose reelectionist Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado because of an alliance forged between the LP and the local National Unity Party composed of former Lakas-Kampi-CMD members.
In Olongapo City, young members of the influential Gordon family are clashing with their elders in the local race. James Gordon de los Reyes, nephew of Olongapo Mayor James Gordon Jr., is running for the mayoralty against Anne Marie Gordon, his uncle’s wife.
De los Reyes’ vice mayoral candidate is Brian Patrick Gordon, son of former Sen. Richard Gordon, who will go against Rodel Cerezo, an Olongapo councilor who was handpicked by Mayor Gordon and his wife.
Grace Padaca’s brother
In Isabela, the 47-year-old brother of newly appointed Commission on Elections Commissioner Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca has taken his sister’s place in gunning for the post occupied by Gov. Faustino Dy III.
Mario Angelo Padaca was his sister’s executive assistant when she served as governor from 2004 to 2010. He is running under the Aksyon Demokratiko. Dy and Mario Padaca face three other rivals, among them a real estate developer and a retired teacher.
In Tarlac, Dr. Isabel Cojuangco Suntay, second cousin of President Benigno Aquino III and niece of San Miguel Corp. chair Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, is running against reelectionist Gov. Victor Yap and Vice Gov. Pearl Pacada.
The President has other relatives running in Tarlac: reelectionist Rep. Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco (first district) and his son, Enrique “Kit” Cojuangco Jr., who is running for vice governor.
Other dynasties
Pacada of Lakas-CMD said she was adopting Kit Cojuangco as her runningmate.
In the third district, Rep. Jeci Aquino Lapus is seeking reelection against former Rep. Herminio Aquino, the President’s uncle, and outgoing Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva.
In the second district, Rep. Susan Yap of the Nationalist People’s Coalition will slug it out with former Public Works Director Josefino Rigor.
In Pangasinan, Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza is running for governor against Gov. Amado Espino Jr. Braganza’s running mate, former Police Director General Arturo Lomibao, will run against Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim. Former Gov. Victor Agbayani will serve as the LP provincial campaign manager.
The Ortega clan is reinforcing its political grip on La Union with 11 family members filing their certificates of candidacy for various posts in the province.
Four brothers are seeking reelection: Gov. Manuel Ortega, Rep. Victor Ortega, San Fernando Mayor Pablo Ortega and Provincial Board Member Francisco Ortega Jr.
Michelle Ortega is courting Caba town to win the mayoral race there. She is the daughter of former Baguio City Police Chief Roberto Ortega, who is running for Baguio councilor. Reports from Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Robert Gonzaga and Jo Clemente-Martinez, Inquirer Central Luzon; and Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon