Number of bets in City for 2010 polls rise
The number of candidates for the May 2010 elections in Iloilo City increased compared to the number of candidates in the 2007 elections. There are 57 candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy for the 15 local elective posts.
City Comelec Assistant 2 Jonathan Sayno said there are four candidates for congressman, five for mayor, six for vice mayor and 42 for councilor. Sayno said it is much bigger compared to that of the 2007 elections, although he did not say the exact percentage of increase in the number of candidates.
There are only 15 local elective positions up for May 2010 elections. One for congressman, one for mayor, one for vice mayor and 12 for councilors.
Based on the final record of the City Comelec, the candidates for congressman are: Juanito Gaje (Independent), incumbent Representative Raul Gonzalez Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), former Mayor Mansueto Malabor (Independent) and Mayor Jerry Treñas (Nacionalista Party).
For the mayoral post, the candidates are: Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog (Liberal Party), former RTC Judge Amelita Benedicto (Independent), Presidential Assistant on Water Larry Jamora (Independent) and Vicente Balsomo (Independent).
The candidates for vice mayoral post are: Councilor Julienne Baronda (PMP), Carmelo Carreon (Independent), Councilor Jose Espinosa III, Dr. Aquilles Hortillosa Jr. (Independent), Councilor Antonio Pesina (Lakas) and Councilor Erwin Plagata (Ind.).
The candidates for councilors are: Peter Abadiano (Independent), Constantino Abellar (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Councilor Lyndon Acap (LP/Ugyon), Rodel Fullon Agado (PMP), former Councilor Joshua Alim (PMP/PDP-Laban), Councilor Eldrid Antiquiera (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Jose Allen Aquino (Independent) and Gerardo Canonero (Independent), Salvador Capulot Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD).
The other candidates are: Ma. Teresa Cataluña (Independent), Mike Chin Jr (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Gudelia Coo (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), former Councilor Rolando Dabao (Independent), Jose Maria de la Llana (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), ABC City Proper President Roberto Divinagracia (Nacionalista Party), Councilor Ely Estante (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office head Rony Firmeza (NP) and Ely Gallofin Sr. (Independent).
Councilor Jeffrey Ganzon (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Atty Rleonie Gerochi (LP), Jason Gonzales (Independent), Mitchel Ituriaga (Independent), David Raymundo Jamora (Independent), Ernesto Jardeleza Jr (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Oscar King (Independent), former Councilor Erlinda Liberiaga (PMP) and Deo Antonio Llamas (Independent) will also run for councilor.
Former Councilor Mandrei Malabor (Independent), ABC Mandurriao President Quirico Mendoza Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Cykhee Nava (Independent), Jose Marte Nava (Independent), Atty. Plaridel Nava (PMP), Paquito Ngo (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Atty. Eugenio Original (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Raymundo Peritos (Independent), activist Jose Reynaldo Porquia (Bayan Muna), Atty. Edel Julio Romero (Independent), Councilor Nielex Tupas (LP/Ugyon), Rodolfo Villegas (Independent), Iloilo City Boarding House Commission head Edward Yee (NP), businessman Johnny Young (NP) and Councilor Perla Zulueta (Independent) added to the long list of candidates.
Sayno attributed the rise in the number of candidates with the emergence of different groups and independent candidates who want to get elected in next year’s electoral process.
From among the groups, only the group of Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. has a complete list of candidates from congressman down to councilors.
The certified list of candidates was sent immediately to the Comelec national office as basis for the printing of official ballots in next year’s election, said Sayno.
