Early bird candidates, unknowns file COCs

MANILA, Philippines - Several early bird candidates, some reelectionists and others virtual unknowns, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) in various provinces yesterday, the first filing day.

President Arroyo’s economic adviser, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, has filed his COC at Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Legazpi City, Albay, surprising political camps here because he was known to file his COC a day before the last filing day.

Lakas-CMD-Kampi standard-bearer, former Defense secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, accompanied Salceda, who is running for reelection. 

“In the history of Albay, no administration has so generously supported our struggle to achieve social prosperity and economic progress. Thus I must repay our collective debt of gratitude by staying with the administration and support its candidate for president in 2010, Secretary Gibo Teodoro,” Salceda said.

Salceda and Teodoro also visited ongoing infrastructure projects in the province such as the construction of the Bicol International airport in Daraga town, and the rehabilitation of structures damaged by typhoon “Reming” in 2006.

In Pampanga, an agriculturist running for governor was the first to file his COC in the province.

Lawyer Temmie Lambino, Comelec provincial officer, said Ricardo Ocampo Sr., 73, of Barangay Sto. Rosario, Mexico town filed his COC at 11:40 a.m. yesterday.

Luisito Bacani, 68, a businessman from Cut-Cut, Angeles City, also filed his COC to represent the first district of Pampanga.

Angeles City councilor Aries Yabut also formalized his candidacy for the 1st district congressional seat.

Yabut and Bacani are up against incumbent first district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin of Lakas. 

In Dagupan City, Abraham de Asis, a veterinarian, filed his COC for board member of the fourth district of Pangasinan.

De Asis, the incumbent barangay captain of Bari, Mangaldan, listed his nickname as “Oki Dok De Asis.”

Incumbent Burgos Mayor Domingo Doctor Jr., now on his third and last term as mayor, filed his COC to represent the first district of Pangasinan.

In Baguio city, incumbent Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., city councilor Nicasio Aliping, and pastor Abet Quilala have filed their COCs to represent the lone congressional district of Baguio.

No early birds in Bulacan

In several towns in Bulacan, no candidates filed their COCs yesterday.

Malolos City election officer lawyer Sabino Mejarito said most candidates file their COCs by groups while some are choosing their lucky dates.

Sta. Maria election officer Gina Llave said non-filing of COCs could be an indication that some parties have not completed their slate.

The same was echoed by Joselito Maclang and Eugene Herrera, municipal election officers of San Ildefonso and Norzagaray towns, respectively.

Maclang said serious candidates usually file their COCs on the last day.

In past elections, most candidates in the province vie for the opportunity to be the first one to file their COC because they get mileage since local journalists usually cover the first day of filing.

Vote buying to intensify in 2010

Provincial election officers expect vote buying to intensify during the 2010 automated elections.

Lawyer Zoilo Perlas, regional election director in Central Luzon, said that in the previous polls, they received reports of vote buying two to three days before elections.

Other election officers said vote buying will be more rampant during the automated elections because the new ballots to be used in the precinct count optical scanner (PCOS) machines cannot be tampered with. – With Ric Sapnu, Artemio Dumlao, Dino Balabo, Eva Visperas