Comelec braces for ‘switching’ of candidates
Judy files bid with hubby’s name to appear in ballot
Meantime, the Comelec here is bracing for more withdrawals and substitutions of candidates particularly in the provincial level.
“Graduating” Mayor Richard Garin of Guimbal, Iloilo failed to submit his COC at the close of last day of filing yet is highly expected to run either as vice governor of the Province or as board member.
Talks abound that two ‘token’ candidates were fielded – Margarito “Garry” Clavel and Pedro Gaton – to pave the way for Garin’s eventual change of mind.
Clavel was the last provincial bet to file his COC at 11:56 p.m. Thursday or some four minutes to the close of the official filing period. With his Certificate of Official Nomination and Acceptance from the KAMPI party, Clavel was to become the third contender for Iloilo vice-governor. His last-minute filing surprised reporters present and Fifth District Congressman Rolex Suplico, a fellow vice-gubernatorial bet who thought he was the last one to give Liberal Party candidate Domingo Oso Jr. a one-on-one fight for said post.
Gaton, on the other hand, filed his bid as board member of the First District with his Lakas-CMD nomination an hour before the filing period ended. A total of five board members are running in the First District including re-electionist-board members Bernardo “Idol” Silla Jr. of KAMPI and Lakas-CMD bet Macario Napulan.
As a rule, switching is allowed but limited only to established political parties. A candidate who has withdrawn though is prohibited to run for any other elective position.
Same scenario seen and expected in the Second Congressional District with the switching of supposed re-electionist Congresswoman Judy Jalbuena-Syjuco.
The official candidate of Lakas-CMD, the lady solon included husband’s name, Secretary Augusto Boboy Syjuco, Director-General of TESDA in the “name to appear in ballot” spot stating “Judy Boboy Syjuco.”