Whistle-blower is first to file COC for mayor of Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines - Self-proclaimed whistleblower and businessman Crisologo Saavedra was the first to file his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) as the Cebu City Comelec Office yesterday.

Saavedra, who is an independent candidate, is running for mayor of Cebu City.

He said that he will have a vice mayoralty bet and candidates for councilor in his slate, but is yet to name them.

Saavedra, who is best known for exposing the overpriced lampposts, said that he will run for the highest position in the city to continue his crusade against corruption.

His target is zero corruption and assured the people that there will be no more dishonesty if he gets elected mayor.

“I would like to stop it once and for all and I can guarantee to the people of Cebu that there will be no corruption once I will be elected,” Saavedra said.

He could not, however, point out a single transaction in the city that he finds irregular or anomalous.

But like other critics of the city government, Saavedra also questioned the Filinvest deal in the South Road Properties (SRP).

“The said transaction is questionable because it is questioned by the province and if it is decided, we will end up paying the investor,” Saavedra said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña seemed amused that Saavedra has already filed his COC.

Osmeña said that the businessman might be the next mayor of the city if the people will believe and vote for him.

“Anything can happen gyud. If people will vote for him dako kaayo iyang chance, but if people don’t vote for him, no chance,” an amused Osmeña said.

Saavedra said that another reason why he was first to file his COC is to change the attitude of politicians.

He criticized some politicians that would always beat the deadline in filing their COC to the Comelec calling it a bad habit.

City Election Officer Marchel Sarno, who received the COC of Saavedra, praised the businessman for heeding their call.

But Sarno warned the self-proclaimed whistleblower to be cautious so that he will not be accused of premature campaigning.

The election officer said that local candidates are only allowed to campaign during the campaign period, which starts late March next year.

Sarno refused to comment if Saavedra can be considered as a nuisance candidate or question his capability to launch a citywide campaign.

The businessman, however, is aware of the needed resources and said he will be giving P500,000 to each of those running for councilor in his slate.

Meanwhile, Sarno reiterated their appeal to all politicians who intend to run for the next year’s elections to file their COC as early as possible to avoid hitches.

The Comelec has given the candidates until midnight of December 1 to file their COC. — Elly Bolonos/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)