In Marcos turf, Palace return within reach

Key members of the family of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos on Friday filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for local positions in their turf, Ilocos Norte, but the hottest topic of the day was anything but local—the Marcoses’ possible return to Malacañang if the late strongman’s namesake and son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., wins as vice president.

“I expect that everyone here in Batac would be united, and would not fall for factionalism due to the taint and bitterness of politics, so we can usher an Ilocano vice president, Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr. of Batac City, Ilocos Norte in 2016,” said Imee Marcos, who filed her COC for reelection as governor.

Imelda Marcos, the late strongman’s wife, also filed her COC in Batac City to run for reelection as representative.

In a statement, Imee said the family relies on votes from the “Solid North” composed of the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera regions.

“It is destiny that Bongbong is a vice presidential candidate from the North, the only one representing Ilocandia. Maybe it was a blessing from the heavens that his rivals all come from Bicol,” she said.

She urged Marcos supporters from Metro Manila and eastern Visayas, home province of Imelda, to fight for a Marcos vice presidency which would put the late strongman’s son a step closer to the presidency.

The Marcoses ruled the country for more than 20 years, many of these through martial law. They were toppled in 1986 in a bloodless revolt that followed allegations of massive cheating to ensure the victory of the late strongman in snap presidential elections between him and the late President Corazon Aquino.

Abra

The 2016 elections are shaping up to be a contest between close family allies in Abra province, once notorious for political killings.

Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin, now on his third term in office, has fielded his wife, Ruby, for the gubernatorial race against Abra Rep. Jocelyn Bernos.

Bersamin is running for mayor of capital town, Bangued, against Bernos’ father, incumbent Mayor Dominic Valera.

This upland Cordillera province was in the spotlight recently because of the conviction of former Gov. Vicente Valera Jr. for the 2006 assassination of Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr., the incumbent governor’s brother.

Former Governor Valera used to dominate Abra politics and the Bersamins and the family of Mayor Valera were among those who fought to end his political influence. The conviction fulfilled the goals of the alliance.

But the Bersamin and Bernos-Valera clans insist the upcoming rivalry was not triggered by Valera’s conviction.

Cordillera races

In the Cordillera, incumbent and new political faces played catch up at Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices.

Seeking the Kalinga congressional seat are incumbent Vice Gov. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, who is running under the Liberal Party (LP), and Board Member Camilo Lammawin Jr., a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Running for Kalinga governor are reelectionist Gov. Jocel Baac (LP), Conrado Dieza, Jr. (United Nationalist Alliance) and Farnaw Claver (an independent candidate).

In Benguet, Vice Gov. Cresencio Pacalso is running for governor.

In Baguio City, the mayoral race is officially a fight among incumbent Mayor Mauricio Domogan (UNA), lawyer Jose Molintas (NPC) and independent candidates Guillermo Hernandez and retired Judge Edilberto Claravall.

Former Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara has reentered the race he lost in 2013 against incumbent Rep. Nicasio Aliping.

Pangasinan battles

In Pangasinan, the Dagupan City mayoral race is again a battle between the Lim clan and a pair surnamed Fernandez. Celia Lim, wife of former Mayor Benjamin Lim, filed her candidacy for mayor with their son, Mark Brian Lim, who is running for vice mayor.

They will face reelectionist Mayor Belen Fernandez and her running mate, Councilor Alipio Serafin Fernandez, son of former Mayor Alipio Fernandez Sr.

On Friday, Gov. Amado Espino Jr. (who is running in the fifth district congressional race), his son Amado Espino III (who is running for governor), and reelectionist Vice Gov. Ferdinand Calimlim switched their party affiliation from the National Unity Party to Aksyon Demokratikong Pilipino.

Also in Pangasinan:

Paul Tucay of Bolinao, a defeated mayoral candidate in Bolinao, is running for Congress in the first district.

Teozaldy Salvador, who ran and lost for mayor of Aguilar town, is running for governor.

In Alaminos City, Vice Mayor Earl James Aquino (LP) is running for mayor against incumbent Mayor Arthur Celeste, a former congressman and brother of reelectionist Rep. Jesus Celeste (first district).

Rep. Rose Marie Arenas is being challenged by former Rep. Eric Acuna and Generoso Tulagan in the third congressional district.

Local reporter and radio commentator Virgilio Maganes filed his COC for Pangasinan governor, offering himself as  “an alternative to the rich and traditional politicians.”

No candidate has challenged Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (second district), and Rep. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (sixth district).

Rep. Gina de Venecia (fourth district) is being challenged by Mario Operana, a retired Army master sergeant from Dagupan, and businessman Ronaldo Ebreo.

Other Luzon races

In Isabela, former Gov. Maria Gracia Cielo Padaca filed her COC for governor on Thursday, hoping to regain the seat she held from 2004 to 2010. She is challenging reelectionist Gov. Faustino Dy III, whose family has ruled the province for decades.

In Bataan, former Rep. Enrique Garcia, Jr. (second district) filed his COC for vice governor.

Incumbent Gov. Albert Garcia is seeking reelection, while his brother, former Balanga City Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III, is seeking the second congressional district seat.

Their sister, incumbent Dinalupihan Mayor Ma. Angela Garcia, is a reelectionist, while another brother, Francis Garcia, is running for Balanga mayor.

Incumbent Hermosa Mayor Danilo Malana and Geraldine Roman are fighting for the first congressional district seat to be vacated by Roman’s mother, Herminia Roman.

In Pampanga, the reelection bids of former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Gov. Lilia Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda are unopposed, according to the Comelec provincial office.

Rep. Joseller Guiao (first district) is being challenged by Carmelo Lazatin III and Edwin Bacay; Rep. Oscar Rodriguez (third district) is facing former Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Jose Quiwa III and Amado Santos; and Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc (fourth district) is being opposed by Apalit Mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr.

Tension broke out at the Arayat town hall when supporters of Mayor Bonifacio Alejandrino closed the door as his rival, former Mayor Chito Espino, went to the local Comelec office to file his COC.

In Bulacan, detained Jovito Palparan was expected to file his candidacy for senator on Friday.

Also in Bulacan:

In Olongapo City, reelectionist Mayor Rolen Paulino is running against former Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.

Southern Tagalog

In Laguna, Gov Ramil L. Hernandez (Nacionalista Party) filed his COC to seek a mandate after taking over the governor’s post following the ouster of actor Jeorge “ER” Ejercito, who was removed from the post for overspending in the 2013 elections.

Laguna first district Rep. Danilo Ramon “Dan” Subiaga Fernandez (LP) and Sta. Rosa City Mayor Arleen Arcillas (LP) are switching places.

Fernandez is running for mayor while Arcillas is running for representative.

The Sta. Rosa mayoral seat is also being contested by Alicia Carpo Lazaga (PDP-Laban), a local businesswoman who filed her COC on Thursday.

In Cavite, incumbent Gov. Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr. and Vice Gov. Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III, both from the UNA party, filed their COCs for reelection at the Comelec in office in Trece Martirez City on Monday.

In Batangas City, Kristine Balmes (PDP-Laban), an incumbent councilor, filed her COC for mayor, challenging the reelection bid of her former father-in-law, Mayor Eduardo Dimacuha (LP). Balmes is the former wife of Angelito “Dondon” Dimacuha, who once served as mayor of Batangas City.

Former justice secretary Hernando Perez (independent) filed his COC for the congressional seat of the fifth district of Batangas on Friday.

Bicol polls

In Camarines Sur, scions of another well-entrenched political clan will challenge the administration of Gov. Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte.

NPC’s Arnulf Bryan “Arnie” Fuentebella, who is running for governor, and father Arnulfo Fuentebella, who is running for representative of the fourth district, filed their COCs on Thursday.

In Camarines Norte, from yellow shirts, former LP members here are now members of the NPC and wore white.

Gov. Edgardo Tallado is running for reelection for his last term. His wife, Josefina, is running for representative of the first district. Former revenue commissioner Liwayway Vinzons Chato is running for representative of the second district.

In Albay, Rep. Al Francus Bichara (NP) has filed his COC for governor, in a swap of post with outgoing Gov. Joey Salceda, who has filed his COC as representative of the second district.

Two previously unheard of candidates—Paul Aguilar and Mario Bacuil—are running as governor. Reports from Yolanda Sotelo, Johanne Margarette Macob, Jessica Tabilin, Estanislao Albano Jr., Villamor Visaya Jr., and Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon;  Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Greg Refraccion, Allan Macatuno, and Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon; and Romulo Ponte, Kimmy Baraoidan, Marrah Erika Rabe, Juan Escandor Jr., Ma. April Mier, Michael Jaucian, Inquirer Southern Luzon