Ocleasa agrees to run for Day-as councilman

Day-as barangay captain Michael Ocleasa Sr., who is seeking a second term, has agreed to run for barangay councilman after he mistakenly filled up and submitted to the Commission on Elections the certificate of candidacy (COC) for councilman.

He said he considered filing a petition to change the position he sought but he realized that it might take long because the petition has to be filed in Manila and the elections are scheduled for Monday.

“I was supposed to withdraw my candidacy but I was advised to run as councilor.  Okay lang kay naa man gihapon ko sa council.  I am not after the honorarium or position but service to the people,” Ocleasa told The Freeman.

With this, he said he will have a meeting with his group for them to decide who to support as barangay captain, he said they may choose between Jovy Francisco and Lorna Salendra who are both supporters of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“I advised him to run for councilor na lang.  I think he agreed,” Osmeña said yesterday after Ocleasa sought his advice regarding the matter.

City election officer for the north district Marchel Sarno said the certificate can no longer be changed because the deadline for the filing of COC was last October 18.  With this, he said Ocleasa is officially considered a candidate for barangay councilman unless there are orders from the law department to allow Ocleasa to change his COC.

Two other candidates are running for barangay captain, councilwoman Suzette Quijano and a Lorna Salendra.

In barangay Day-as, seven groups will be vying for the barangay positions in the coming elections.  Three of these groups are known Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan supporters, three others are identified with the opposition and the last is independent.

But the mayor yesterday clarified that he is not going to endorse anyone and will not give any funds to his supporters because it is not legal and barangay elections should be non-partisan.

Osmeña also added that his supporters in the barangays are not exactly helpless and can win without any help from him.

With regards to the opposition’s alleged fielding of the candidates against his supporters, the mayor welcomed it saying: “It’s good to make it more difficult.”

Osmeña earlier said that he is not worried that his supporters are running against each other in the barangay elections.  He admitted that his supporters may be divided but he does not feel threatened because it will show who the strong leaders are.  Likewise, he added that it would give people a choice to vote better leaders.

It was actually noted that several candidates for the SK elections also committed the same mistakes and filed for the wrong position.  – Wenna A. Berondo/BRP