Mel Carreon's sister runs for councilor
Long before the start of campaign period for local
candidates Mel Carreon's name already scattered
everywhere in the city.
A total of 19 candidates in the city have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) as of 3:45 p.m. yesterday.
As of press time a day before the deadline for filing COCs only four candidates for councilor went to the City Comelec.
City Election Officer 2 Jonathan Sayno said those who filed their COC yesterday were re-electionist Councilor Ely Estante of the Lakas-CMD, Lex Tupas, son of Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas, of the LP-Ugyon Party, independent candidate Isabel Carreon, elder sister of perennial candidate Mel Carreon, and Boyet Rentoy of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.
Estante's partymates led by Mayor Jerry Treñas filed their COCs last Saturday but he preferred to file his COC March 28 because of Feng shui belief.
Last, Monday, independent candidate Rafael Arancillo, former City Agriculturist, also filed his certificate of candidacy for councilor.
Sayno said as of press time yesterday there are already 16 candidates for councilor, one for mayor, one for vice mayor and one for congressman.
He said the group of former Councilor Vicente Gengos Jr, former Mayor Mansueto Malabor, former Councilor Joshua Alim, and Councilor Perla Zulueta informed their office of their intent to file their COCs today.
Gengos is firm on his stand to run as congressman. Malabor is also eyeing the congressional post. They both belong to the opposition group. Alim will run as mayor and Zulueta will seek re-election as councilor of the city.
Sayno also said Tess Cataluña also expressed her intention to file her certificate of candidacy for councilor today. In the 2004 elections, Cataluña ran under the administration party but lost.
Other candidates of the opposition group who will run for councilor are also expected to file their certificates of candidacy before the 12 midnight deadline.
Meanwhile, Sayno said they are also waiting on whether perennial candidate Mel Carreon will file his certificate of candidacy for councilor as his sister also ran for councilor. Sayno noted that independent candidates are could not avail of the privilege of substitution as they have no political party.