Seven mayoral bets in Iloilo City

TEAM Uswag led by Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas file their certificates of candidacy at the Comelec on Oct 17, 2018.

SEVEN candidates are vying for Iloilo City mayor in May 2019, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in the city.

Comelec records released on the last day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) on Oct 17, 2018 indicated that four candidates are seeking the lone district congressional seat of the city.

The mayoral bets include incumbent Mayor Jose Espinosa III of Nacionalista Party (NP), Iloilo City lone district Rep. Jerry Treñas of the National Unity Party (NUP), and Dr. Pacita Gonzalez, wife of the late justice secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr., of Lakas-CMD.

Rudy Bantolo and senatorial candidate drop out Carmelo Carreon are also eyeing the mayor’s office alongside Efren Gimeo of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Esteban A. Abitang of Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).

Two former city councilors, Julienne Baronda (NUP) and Perla Zulueta (NP); incumbent City Councilor Joshua Alim of Pwersa ng Masa (PMP), and Lucio Encio of PDDS are eyeing the lone district congressional post.

The vice mayoral bets are incumbent City Councilors Plaridel Nava (PMP) and R Leoni Gerochi (NP), incumbent Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon of Timawa Party and Constancio Caro Jr. of PDDS.

As of 5:41 p.m. Wednesday, 46 electoral bets vying for the 12 seats in the Sangguniang Panlungsod have filed their COCs with the Comelec.

NP bets include incumbent Councilors, Eduardo Peñaredondo, Lyndon Acap, Mandrei Malabor, Candice Magdalane Tupas, Liezl Zulueta Salazar and former councilor Rodel Agado.

NUP is fielding incumbent Councilors Love Baronda, Jay Treñas, Ely Estante, Armand Parcon, former ex-officio city councilor Reyland Hervias, lawyer Rommel Duron, Punong Barangay Jojo Javellana, former punong barangay Gilbert Garcia, and social worker Allan Zaldivar.

Also vying for the city council seats are Trecilo Ras Borja (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas), Hermesusima Panes (PMP), Ma Janice Ramos Pwersa ng Masa (PMP), Mark Khaizer Jadulos (Partido Federal ng Pilipinas), Jose Allen Aquino (PMP), Judgie Alim (PMP), John Douglas Janducayan (PMP), and Daniel Cartagena (United Nationalist Alliance). They are part of Dr. Gonzalez’ slate.

Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) has a complete electoral slate for the 12 seats in the council namely Aillen Equico, Rachel Sampiano, Mary Irish Melgar, Jovito Guilaran Jr., Jocelyn Jover, Wenceslao Sollano, Lorenzo Castillano, Danilo Fuentes,Teofilo Aldea, Nenita Demontano, Shirley Jalbuena, Oscar Diopeta Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS).

The independent candidates are Bryan Ian Zulueta, Eddie Marie Bañez, Wilfredo Garcia, and Madonna Martin.

The last-minute filers were Oscar Catarata, Releo Lumayao, Ceasar Hablero, Renan Gonzales, Stephen Denaga, and Joemarie Barredo who are all running for councilor.

Iloilo City election officer Reiner Layson described the 5-day filing of COCs as generally peaceful.

“The filing of COCs here in the city is peaceful with the help of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and the cooperative members of the different parties of the electoral bets,” Layson said.

Meanwhile, substitution for candidates who will withdraw their COCs will only be allowed until November 29, based on Comelec Resolution No. 10430.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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