For Cebu City mayor:5-way poll derby

CEBU, Philippines — Unless someone is declared a nuisance candidate or disqualified, it will be a five-way fight for both the mayoral and vice mayoral posts in Cebu City in the 2019 midterm elections.

Running for mayor are re-electionist Tomas Osmeña, incumbent Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, John Edwin Dayondon, Junry Concepcion, and Paulino Osmeña.

For the vice mayoralty post, Michael Rama, incumbent City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos, Antonio Olvenario, Federico Peredo, and Antonio Rosaroso are joining the race.

“Ang Comelec man ang mo-assess ana. Democracy is bringing all to be a part,” Rama told reporters.

De los Santos agreed that anyone can file his or her certificate of candidacy (COC) since it is part of democracy.

“May the best woman win,” de los Santos said.

Lawyer Marchel Sarno, Cebu City North District election officer, said the commission can declare a candidate a nuisance either motu propio or upon a verified petition of an interested party.

“Naa silay five days from the last day of filing of certificate of candidacy to file petition to deny due course sa COC.  Anyone can file but sa nuisance, ang affected candidate can file,” he told reporters.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, the grounds for declaring a candidate nuisance include the “certificate of candidacy was filed to put the election process in mockery or disrepute; certificate of candidacy causes confusion among the voters by similarity of names of the registered candidates; by other acts or circumstances clearly demonstrating that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for the office for which the certificate of candidacy has been filed.”

Sarno said his office will submit the COCs of 54 aspirants for several positions in Cebu City to its central office and other offices.

By November 29, the commission will issue a final list of candidates for next year’s elections.

“Before November 29, pwede ka substitute ang member sa partido ug after November 29, pwede ka substitute grounds for qualification like kanang na disqualify, namatay but ang mopuli is pareha na og apelido sa pulihan kay kanang panahona gi-finalize ang list,” he said.

For independent candidates, Sarno said there will be no room for substitution.

Candidates Alejandro Cabido, Sherwin Abella, Reynaldo Abad, Ian Anthony Osmeña, Eliseo Tumulak, and Napoleon Navarro have filed as independent and are all seeking the city’s legislative post.

In the north district, actor Richard Edison Yap, Ricardo Dungog, and Florencio Villarin are challenging incumbent Rep. Raul del Mar for the House seat.

In the south district, re-electionist Rodrigo Abellanosa will be challenged by incumbent City Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera. — GAN (FREEMAN)