Samsam, PJ eye Congress seats

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas filed their certificates of candidacy before the Comelec provincial office yesterday.

Garcia is seeking reelection as congressman while Gullas will leave his post as mayor to seek a seat in Congress representing the First District.

Gullas said he would like to continue what Eduardo Gullas, his grandfather, has started since the latter has decided to retire from politics. The younger Gullas is running under Nacionalista Party (NP).

Two incumbent board members in the First District, Yolanda Daan and Raul Bacaltos, are also seeking reelection in next year’s polls. Daan filed her COC yesterday morning while Bacaltos filed in the afternoon. Both are running under NP.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia visited Comelec yesterday to express her support for Gullas.

Garcia, who is seeking reelection, is expected to file her COC next week, but until this point, she has kept mum on her runningmate.

In general, the first day of COC filing at the Comelec Cebu office was peaceful and organized.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, provincial election supervisor, said all of the aspirants followed the minimum health protocols as they filed their COCs.

Castillano, though, asked the aspirants to make sure their COCs are completely filled out before they submit them to the Comelec.

“Siguro before sila mo-file siguradohon usa nila nga sakto ba ang ilang COC. We even asked them kon pwede one day before ipa-check nila diri sa among opisina ilang COC para mahibaw-an unsay kulang para inig anhi nila sa among opisina para receiving, paspas ang proseso kay kumpleto na wala nay kulang” Castillano said.

He also urged the candidates to inform the Comelec ahead of their scheduled plan of filing so that the office can make the necessary preparations.

Cebu City situation

Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections in Cebu City is appealing to political aspirants to inform the office in advance on when they intend to file their certificates of candidacy.

“Maayo unta kung mo-inform sila nato in advance kanus-a sila mo-file kay para ma-arrange nato, di magdungan,” said North District election officer Chauncey Boholst.

“Kay naa ra bay atong nahibal-an sad nga murag grupo gyud sila. So grupo man gani, daghan man na sila so maayo nang dili na magdungan ang laing partido. Nindot kaayo na mo-inform sila daan para ma-arrange nato og buntag ba sila nya laing partido inig ka hapon or the following day,” he added.

Boholst, however, said that in case the parties will file their COCs on the same day, Comelec is also ready since they have prepared for such scenario.

He said it is possible that many aspirants will file on the last day of the filing, which is October 8, 2021.

“Wa gyud tay idea kung unsa orasa pero gi-expect nato murag naa man tay nabasa nga next week pa sila mo-file, possibly last day gyud kasagaran,” said Boholst.

Aznar files COC

Yesterday, the first day of COC filing, only one aspirant went to the Comelec-Cebu City to file his COC so far. He is Gian Aznar, 31, a resident of Barangay Sambag II, who is running for councilor of the city’s North District.

It is the first time Aznar, a former teacher and seafarer, will try his luck in public service.

He said he decided to file as early because “it was basically common sense for me.”

“For the past five months, I’ve been going around Cebu City seeing the reality of things. In fact, mao gyud ni akong ganahan buhaton… I decided that I wanted to do this. I think it’s time to step up in the next generation of public servants,” said Aznar.

“I just wanted to get it over with and my headquarters is nearby, so I told my team and my supporters to show my intent to the people of Cebu, I will file on the first day because my intention is to serve, to be part of the City Council sa Cebu,” he added.

Should he win, Aznar said his number one priority is related to the pandemic response, especially on helping the medical frontliners.

“From there, we could move forward to progress, unsay maayo nga mga projects na pwede nato mabuhat for progress sa Cebu City,” he said.

Meanwhile, Boholst said that the daily services offered by Comelec are temporarily suspended until October 8 to give way for the COC filing.

“Gi-suspend sa nato sa pagkakaron kadtong voter’s certification kay first day, unya nagexpect ta nga busy gyud,” said Boholst. — JMD (FREEMAN)