Over 30 candidates in Cebu unopposed

CEBU, Philippines — Some incumbent officials in Cebu will be celebrating early even if the midterm election is still set next year as they will be entering the polls unopposed.

According to data from the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor (OPES)-Cebu, out of 1,265 who filed their Certificate of Candidacy, including for major cities in Cebu, more than 30 will be running without an opponent.

In the congressional race, three aspirants, including two incumbents and one neophyte, will be running without an opponent.

The incumbents are first district representative Rhea Mae Gullas and 6th district representative Daphne Lagon, while Karen Hope Garcia, who substituted her husband, third District Congressman Pablo John “PJ” will also be unopposed.

Aside from the congressional post, some candidates in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan are running unopposed. Among them are former San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya and Antonio Bacaltos Jr. under the Nacionalista Party (NP) in the first district, and Dason Larenz Lagon and Alfred Francis Ouano of LAKAS-CMD for the 6th district.

Each district in Cebu Province is represented by two board members in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Data from the Commission on Elections-7 also shows that several towns and cities whose candidates for both mayors and vice mayors in next year’s election are unopposed.

Among these LGUs are Alcantara, Alcoy, Minglanilla, Ronda, San Francisco, Tuburan, and Tudela.

There are also towns whose mayors are the only unopposed like Barili Mayor John John Garcia and Carmen Mayor Carlo Villamor.

While the towns of Balamban, Bantayan, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Liloan, Malabuyoc, Sibonga, and the cities of Bogo, Naga, and Talisay have vice mayoral candidates with no opponents.

In total, 1,265 have filed their COCs in Cebu: three are running as governor, two for vice governor, 24 for the provincial board members, 17 are running for mayor, 97 candidates for vice mayor, and 96 for councilors.

Tuburan Mayor Diamante swaps with son

Even with two terms more left, Tuburan town Mayor Aljun Diamante has instead endorsed his son to run in his position in the upcoming midterm polls.

“Naka decide ko gahapon lang nga akong anak lang akong padaganon kay mas batan-on ug kugihan pud unya aduna pud kapasidad mahimong lider,” said Diamante when asked yesterday on why he opted not to seek reelection.

Diamante said that after the election next year, what he wants to do is to plant more coffee and bamboo.

“Nananom na lang ko og kape ug bamboo,” said Diamante, founder of Cebu’s homegrown coffee, the Tuburan Coffee and owner of Bamboo Kingdom.

Diamante’s son, fifth among his six siblings, Engr. Christian Daniel "CD" Diamante has filed his certificate of candidacy and will be running unopposed.

Christian’s runningmate is his uncle, the incumbent Vice Mayor Danilo Diamante, the younger brother of Aljun.

Meanwhile, in the town of Samboan, Atty. Russ Mark Gamallo, the former Visayas director for the Department of Energy (DOE), officially filed his COC on October 8, 2024.

“I’m tired of the same old political games. Samboan deserves leaders who are committed to creating real change, not just maintaining the status quo. I believe in our town’s potential to become a model for growth and development and I’m ready to make that happen,” said Gamallo in a statement.

Gamallo is running under the Aksyon Demokratiko party and in a show of unity and strength, he was accompanied by his slate, family, and supporters, including former Cebu City Councilor Niña Mabatid.

In Cordova town, former Mayor Teche Sitoy-Cho, alongside her running mate, lawyer Ronald Sitoy, and six aspiring councilors have filed their respective COCs.

Sitoy-Cho is running for mayor against reelectionist Mayor Cesar Suan.

She previously served as vice mayor for three years and as mayor for six years.

She is now running under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

Her councilorial slate includes multimedia journalist Chris Ligan, Antowen Pogoy, Cynthia Cuerenta, Roque Yburan, Sammy Sumagang, and Jovelle Trangia.

COC filing peaceful

Comelec-7 Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe said that the filing of COCs from October 1-8, 2024, was “orderly and systematic.”

Pobe shared that no major incidents or issues occurred during the filing period, which he attributed to the full cooperation of stakeholders, candidates, COMELEC, and other counterparts, such as the peacekeeping forces and rescue teams.

“Ang amo rang na encounter kay ang minor and negligible issues. For example kay na delay kay nagpa notaryo, ang uban nakulangan og copy, ug nalangay kay wala pa naabot ang supporting documents,” said Pobe.

He further disclosed that fewer candidates are running for the 2025 midterm elections as compared to the 2022 elections, but he believes this is because it was a presidential election.

Meanwhile, the regional director revealed that since yesterday, a day after the filing period ended, the COMELEC in Manila has already started scheduling the submission of COCs filed by candidates from different parts of the country.

In line with this, from October 9 to November 18, COMELEC will review and evaluate the submitted COCs to determine the aspirants’ political parties, completeness of applications, and to determine if there will be candidates that will be considered to be nuisance.

The official list of qualified candidates that are eligible to run for next year’s elections will be published on November 18.

“As much as possible, we will be able to finish it before Christmas because we will be starting the printing of the official candidates,” said Pobe.

On the other hand, substitutions are no longer allowed, except in specific cases, said Pobe.

As the filing of COC ended last October 8, candidates may still withdraw their COC but will not be replaced unless under special circumstances.

Candidates may withdraw their candidacy anytime, even up until midday on election day.

“The only thing that can be substituted are the candidates who belong to this category: One, he/she has been declared by COMELEC to be disqualified, and the other one in case of death,” said Pobe.

However, substitution is restricted to candidates with the same surname and from the same political party. In the case of death, only family members will be eligible to substitute. — Jonnavie Villa/ATO (FREEMAN)