45 candidates file CoCs in Southern Leyte; reelectionist Maasin vice mayor running unopposed
MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte – As the deadline for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) has drawn to a close on Dec. 2, the list of aspiring candidates comprising the reelectionists in the province and in the capital city has revealed that reelectionist Maasin City Vice-Mayor Effie Abiera Sabandal is running unopposed.
Early filers at the COMELEC provincial office were: first-Board Member aspirant Gaspar Tagalo on Nov. 25, 2009; second-reelectionist Congressman Roger Mercado on Nov. 28, 2009 and the third-Congressional aspirant Jeffrey Roden on Nov. 30, 2009.
A total of 45 candidates composing the reelectionists and newcomers in the provincial and city positions have flocked to the 2 COMELEC offices here in various hours of arrival since the filing of CoCs has started.
In the provincial level, there are a total of 23 candidates. Four for the provincial position of representative including reelectionist Roger Mercado (LAKAS). The 3 others are: Aniceto Saludo,Jr, (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino); Jeffrey Roden (Independent); Vicente Geraldo (Independent).
Three are running for the position of Governor including reelectionist Damian Mercado. 1) Marisa Lerias (Nationalist Peoples’ Coalition); 2) Jerome Roden (Independent).
For Vice-Governor:1) reelectionist Vice-Governor Miguel Maamo II (LAKAS); 2) Reuel Dumancas (Independent).
There are 6 reelectionists for SP members all from LAKAS and 9 newcomers for the same position constituting various party affiliations like the LAKAS, Independent, NPC and PMP.
Here in this new small city, LAKAS reelectionist, Mayor Maloney Samaco has an opposition in the person of former third-termer Governor Rosette Yñiguez Lerias of the Nationalist Peoples’ Coalition.
There are 8 reelectionists for City Councilors and a newcomer, Romeo Geniston joining the LAKAS group.
However, there are 10 newcomers under the Nationalist People’s Coalition vying for the position of City Councilors. There are also 2 other Independent candidates running for the same position.
In an interview with Election Officer 2 Lawrence Irman Gelsano, he said that submission of programs of government or their reforms or platforms of government is not required from among the aspiring candidates who filled up their CoCs for the coming May 10,2010 elections.
“Programs of government or reforms of each candidates running for any position in the government is not required”, he said, “It’s up to them to formulate their respective agenda or reforms during their campaign period.”
Regarding the limitations of funds for expenditures during the election campaign among the aspiring candidates he said there’s no resolution yet sent by the COMELEC Manila office.
Gelsano said that if they will receive a COMELEC resolution about the limiting of funds for the campaign sorties they will inform all the qualified candidates.
He said resolution on the limitation of campaign funds will also be published in several national newspapers, including the radio and TV stations before the start of the campaign period.
The Election Officer further informed that the start for the campaign period for the national elections is on Feb. 9 up to May 8, 2010. While for the local elections is on March 26 up to May 8, 2010.
Moreover, Provincial Assistant Election Officer Reuel Junio divulged that there are a total of 247,598 voters (old and new) in the entire province of Southern Leyte. (Quirico M. Gorpido,Jr.)
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