ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Candidates of the Liberal Party (LP), led by reelectionist Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr, filed their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) at the Comelec on Tuesday, while those of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), led by 4th district Rep. Ferjenel Biron who will be running for Iloilo governor, filed theirs on Monday.
Together with Defensor Sr in filing the COCs were LP’s vice gubernatorial bet Raul Tupas and congressional candidates, Pavia town Mayor Arcadio Gorriceta, for the 2nd district, reelectionist Rep. Arthur Defensor Jr (3rd dist.), former governor Niel Tupas Sr (for 4th dist.) and reelectionist Rep. Niel Tupas Jr (5th dist.).
Incumbent Vice Governor Oscar Garin Jr, also of the LP, will be runnig for congressman of the 1st district.
For UNA members, Biron filed his CoC along with his runningmate, former vice governor Rolex Suplico, and their two congressional bets, former congressman and TESDA director general Augusto Syjoco (for the 2nd dist) and PB Member Hernan Biron Jr (for 4th dist).
The LP candidates for the PB are reelectionists Demetrio Sonza (2nd dist), Emmanuel Gallar and Licurgo Tirador (3rd dist), Rommel Conte (4th dist) and Tessie Villanueva (5th dist).
For the 1st district, one of LP bets, former Oton town mayor Carina Flores, is set to file her CoC today, along with reelectionist PB member Nielo Tupas (5th dist) and Mitch Monfort (5th dist).
The UNA bets for PB who filed their CoCs on Monday were Jesus Manuel Sibya III (1st dist), Ramon Sulliano (2nd dist), Norlene Losbanes and Ma. Theresa Malones (3rd dist), and Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez and Shalene Palmares Hidalgo (4th dist).
Their partymates who filed later yesterday for the PB posts were Francisca Ezpeleta (1st dist) and Jesus Salcedo (5th dist). (FREEMAN)