October 1 to 6, 2012

Opposition, admin file COCs

Calling for change. Topmost Photo- Far left: Jeffrey Hidalgo, standing-Jose Espinosa and Dick Dedicatoria, seated from left to right-Jose Marie Gabutero, Pastor Ernie Mahinay, Jovan Laguda, Boy Baguio, Aileen Gustilo and Jose Maria Valmayor.  Left Photo-Hidalgo holds up his COC after his application is received by COMELEC-San Carlos.   

How auspicious could it get when both the camps gunning for local government seats filed their candidacies on the same morning all dressed in immaculate white shirts?

Opposition files

The group who calls themselves the opposition for next year's polls filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) an hour ahead of the administration block at the Commission on Elections-San Carlos City Office on October 5, the last day for filing COCs.

Led only by their candidate for vice-mayor, Jeffrey Hidalgo, the opposition has a nine-councilor slate with no mayor and is backed by the United Negros Alliance of Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr.

Change

"Our game plan is change," Hidalgo briefly said as he exits the COMELEC office.

Jose Maria Valmayor, one of the group's candidates for the Sannguniang Panlalawigan, echoed this call.

"For the First District, if they want change, we are bringing them change. Depende na nila ug dawaton mi nila." Valmayor said.

Among the councilors in this slate are former Sangguniang Panlungsod member Dr. Jose Carlos Villarante and new faces Pastor Ernie Mahinay, Aileen Gustilo, Jose Espinosa, Jose Marie Gabutero, lawyer Epifanio Liberal, Jr., Nelson Taganile and former policeman Elmer Jones Mercado.

Incumbent First District board member Nene Dela Cruz, who jumped out of Congressman Julio Ledesma IV's ship, is now the group's top gun against the congressman.

Calatrava Sangguniang Bayan Member Dick Dedicatoria, who now seeks a seat in the provincial board, was also present to show his support and solidarity.

Crusader

Gustilo, who considers herself not a politician but a citizen who is standing up for a cause, said that she doesn't really think they can win against the administration candidates. But she wishes that the people of San Carlos will awaken and realize that they are tired of the same old politicians.

"Wala na sa utok nako nga modaug. We stand for a cause." Gustilo stated.

Immaculate white. Topmost Photo- From left to right: Kuki Uy, Eddie Apuhin, Rommel Debulgado, Edgardo Quisumbing, San Carlos City Election Officer Ma. Liza Tubera-Sy, City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Jr., Criston Carmona, Dickson Yu, Hernan Antonio, hidden-Emmanuel Baguioro, Clint Mansueto, seated-Fleur de lis Mascuñana and Vicky Cabili. Above Photo-Mayor  Valmayor files his COC. 

                              

Administration files, too

Almost an hour after, with much aplomb and a crowd of mostly casual and barangay employees, the administration block, also in white, arrived to file their COCs. Incumbent Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Jr., led the way.

Valmayor wishes to be re-elected with Vice-mayor Edgardo Quisumbing and ten candidates for city councilors. Two of them are new.

Clint Mansueto replaced out-going SP Member Greg Santillan who is now serving his last term while retired San Carlos City Hospital director Dr. Emmanuel Bagiuoro replaces Dr. Filped Maisog who is now in the United States.

Showing their full force of influence, the group was accompanied by dignitaries including former congressman and mayor Dr. Tranquilino Carmona. The octogenarian supports his son, Criston, who is seeking re-election as councilor. City administrator Fransisco Tolcidas was also present.

No guesting

Valmayor, whose cousin Jose Maria is running for board member in the other camp, denied the rumors that he is a guest candidate for UNA since they do not have a candidate for the local chief executive post.

"Well, officially there's no such arrangement," the mayor said.

Performance

He added that he doesn't feel threatened by the opposition which has an almost complete slate because his "administration's performance speaks for itself and the administrations before" him whose family members and heirs are in his slate. He then pointed to the younger Carmona and Rommel Debulgado.

"The people can see the progress of San Carlos," he confidently said.

On the hacienda votes, he believes that his cousin will also try to "exert his influence in the farm" but added that "one or two farms will not change the sentiment of the people."

Vice-mayor speaks

Asked of his sentiments on his opponent, Quisumbing said that he is glad to have Hidalgo on the other side so the people have a choice but he is not threatened at all.

The vice-mayor also said that his edge is that he is "with the group" and that "qualification-wise, I'm much better than him."

Bagiuoro, a new comer, who turns out to be a second timer in the political arena, is throwing his hat to politics again 20 years after his first attempt. The doctor said that with the city's health programs already running, it is now his aim to make sure there will be improvements.

The administration ticket carries the flags of the Liberal Party and Nationalist People's Coalition.

Punctual

But both these camps were defeated by former councilor Ulysses Lezama who earned the title most punctual being the first to file his COC on October 4.

Lezama, who is running as an independent candidate for councilor, deferred to give comments and only sent representatives to file his COC. The opposition ticket claims he is their guest candidate for councilor.