40 bets vie for various positions in Iloilo
A total of 40 bets filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC) for various positions at the Commission on Election (Comelec) Provincial Office at the end of the filing period midnight of Tuesday. Five candidates will vie for governorship, two for vice governorship, 21 for board members and 12 for representatives.
Remarkably, in the First District only incumbent Rep. Janette Loreto-Garin filed her CoC for the same position making her congressional bid uncontested.
The candidates for governor are: outgoing Third District Rep. Arthur Defensor Sr. (Lakas), Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas (LP), former Leganes Mayor Josil Jaen (Ind.), Norbert Gil (Ind.), and Serapio Camposano (Ind.).
It was learned that both Gil and Camposano are perennial candidates for the gubernatorial position having filed the same in previous elections.
In the vice gubernatorial race it will be a one-on-one fight between First District Board Member Oscar “Richard” Garin Jr. (Lakas) and former Vice Governor Roberto Armada (NPC).
For Board Members, the candidates in the First District are: incumbent Macario Napulan (Lakas), former Oton Mayor Carina Flores (Lakas) and former Miag-ao Mayor Gerardo Flores (LP).
In the 2nd District, the candidates for board member are: incumbent Rodolfo Cabado (NP), incumbent June Mondejar (LP), former vice governor Demy Sonza (Lakas), and Wenceslao Sison (LP)
In the 3rd District, for board members are: former board member Licurgo Tirador (Lakas), former board member Juanito Acanto (Lakas), former board member Manny Gallar (LP) and Nonito Pasuelo (LP)
For 4th District the contenders are: broadcaster Jose Ben Palma (Ind.), Ronald Cahuya (NP), Dumangas Vice Mayor Hernan Biron Jr. (NP), incumbent Shalene Palmares-Hidalgo (LP), former Board Member Henry Anotado (LP) and former Board Member Pablito Araneta (Ind.).
In the 5th District, the candidates are: incumbent Board Members Jesus Salcedo Jr. (Lakas) and Jett Rojas (Lakas), Mildred Arban-Chavez (LP) and Nielo Tupas (LP).
Those who filed their candidacies for congressman are: 1st District–Janette Garin (Lakas); 2nd District – TESDA Director General Augusto Syjuco (Lakas), Ramon Arenas (NPC), and Diopito Gonzales (Ind.); 3rd District – Board Member Arthur Defensor Jr. (NP), Atty. Zafiro “Boy” Lauron (PMP), and Rene Villa (LP);
4th District – incumbent Rep. Ferjenel Biron (NP) and Governor Niel Tupas Sr. (LP); 5th District – incumbent Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. (LP), Vice Governor Rolex Suplico (NP), and Raul Alba (NPC).
Meanwhile, initial information received by The News Today showed that three mayors in the First District are uncontested. They are: Oton Mayor Vincent Flores, Tigbauan Mayor James Excel Torres, and Guimbal Mayor Christine Garin.
The Provincial Comelec is still gathering data from the municipalities to complete the list of those who filed CoCs in the entire province.
