BONTOC, MTN. PROV.– The political “game” starts in the province with old names, except a few, in the list of wannabes or aspirants who filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) at the provincial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office here.
First to file was Mayor Avelino Amangyen of Paracelis who filed for the position of Congressman. He is a neophyte in the congressional race. He was followed by Harry Dominguez, a candidate in the same position in previous elections, who filed for the position of governor on the first hour of October 11.
Incumbent Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr, filed his COC under the PDP-LABAN Party for the same position. Vice Governor Francis Tauli, who was elevated to the position from being a board member, also filed for the same position at nine in the morning.
Aspiring board members who filed their COCs together with the governor were incumbents Donato Danglose, Salvador Dalang, and Romeo Pagedped for District ll, all under the PDP Party. Angelo Fongafong and Grayson Naogsan filed their COCs for board members in the afternoon.
Jupiter Dominguez is an old time face gunning for the congressional seat who filed his COC later in the morning.
So with Albert Paday-os, who used to run for lower positions, but has now filed for the position of congressman also.
Third termer Natonin Mayor Mateo Chiyawan filed for governor under the Liberal Party the following day, October 12. He was once a vice governor of the province before becoming Mayor of Natonin.
Incumbent boards members Carino Tamang, Stephen Afuyog, and Alexandre Claver filed for board members representing district l. There are now five candidates for board members in district l as of press time, 2 PM of October 12..
Meanwhile, at the municipal front, only three aspirant candidates filed for the position of councilor as of press time.
The early filers are Julian Chumacog, Viola Okko, and Esteban Nguddo. All are incumbents.
Incumbent Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen filed for the same position of vice mayor.
According to the Municipal Election Office, Seigh Fred “Pitawen” Fatongkeg filed his COC for the position of mayor.
Atty. Rodante Selpaten, the Municipal Election Officer, was apprehensive why there was still a low turn-out of aspirants as of press time.
“They should file this early as to avoid cramming next week in the remaining days for the filing of candidacies”, he said. He said that this will give them time also to correct or remedy flawed documents, if any.** Roger Sacyaten
