It’s Degamo vs Arnaiz in Negros Or. gubernatorial race

DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines — Candidates from two major political parties in Negros Oriental filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC) for governor on Thursday morning.

Gov. Roel Degamo of National Unity Party-Partido Negorense (NUP-PN) will face Negros Oriental 2nd district Rep. George Arnaiz of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in the gubernatorial race.

Arnaiz’ running mate is Vice Gov. Mark Macias whose reelection bid will be challenged by Board Member Lilan Estacion of NUP-PN.

Arnaiz and his partymates were the first to arrive at the Comelec provincial office past 8 a.m.

They proceeded to the Comelec-Dumaguete office to show their support to Dumaguete Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling Sr., who will run for mayor in Dumaguete.

Maquiling, along with his running mate, City Councilor Franklin Esmeña Jr. and 10 candidates for city council filed their CoCs on Thursday morning.

Less than an hour after NPC bets left the Comelec provincial office, Degamo and party arrived to file their own CoCs.

Former congressman Heminio Teves, father of former Finance Secretary Margarito, accompanied the group to show support.

In the afternoon, Degamo and party went to Comelec-Dumaguete office to show support to former Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Remollo, who filed his CoC for mayor in Dumaguete.

But he was not able to finish the processing of his CoC since he had yet to secure a copy of his Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance from the Liberal Party. SFM