Some NP bets mere placeholders?

FIVE candidates of the Nacionalista Party (NP) in Iloilo City could end up as placeholders for other bets by Nov 29, 2018, the last day of the dropping and substitution of candidates for the May 2019 elections.

Mayor Jose Espinosa III confirmed that the last minute filers on Oct 17, 2018 – Oscar Catarata, Ceasar Hablero, Renan Gonzales, Stephen Denaga, and Joemarie Barredo – are all NP candidates vying for seats in the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

According to Espinosa, the five NP bets are all former barangay captains.

“Sa subong they are running under the NP but there might be possibilities nga ma-islan sila sa Nov. 29,” Espinosa stated.

Councilor R Leone Gerochi, Espinosa’s vice mayoral bet, confirmed the scenario.

“We are eyeing candidates but sa mga nag-file ang iban buslan but I’m not sure if pila sa ila ang buslan,” Gerochi said.

He also revealed that they are eyeing Barangay Captain Rel Lumayad of Rizal, Lapuz Sur, as a potential substitution candidate for councilor.

“We are assured of his integrity. May experience man siya sa panghimanwa being a public official before and may ikasarang to pass legislation,” Gerochi said.

Gerochi revealed that they are also eyeing a potential candidate who is a youth advocate but refused to name the possible bet.

Including the last minute filers, 11 City Council bets are now running under the NP.

Five of them are incumbent councilors – Eduardo Peñaredondo, Lyndon Acap, Mandrei Malabor, Candice Magdalane Tupas, Liezl Zulueta Salazar, and former councilor Rodel Agado.

Meanwhile, based on the resolution issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), substitution of candidates, particularly for those who will withdraw their candidacies for the May 2019 midterm polls, will only be allowed until Nov 29.

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