Negros Occidental Comelec receives early filers of COCs

BACOLOD CITY — Rep. Marilou Arroyo and former Deputy House Speaker Mercedes Alvarez were among the first to file their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Negros Occidental Commission on Elections on Friday.

Arroyo is running for re-election under the Lakas-CMD and United Negros Alliance in the fifth district of Negros Occidental.

Alvarez, a three-term congresswoman, is running for a fourth term in the sixth district of Negros Occidental under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Rep. Genaro Alvarez is the current representative of the sixth district.

Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, of the third district, was the first to file today his COC for reelection.

Other board member bets who filed their COCs were Andrew Montelibano (PDP Laban) — third district, and Jose Benito Alonso and Andrew Martin Torres (NPC/UNEGA) — fourth district.

Jonrey Gargarita, 31, who said he was self employed from Binalbagan town, attempted to file his COC for vice governor of Negros Occidental. The Comelec, however, said he failed to complete the filing requirements because he had no documentary stamps and some of his photos were photo copies.

JPV