KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/12 Oct) — Liberal Party (LP) stalwart and incumbent City Mayor Peter Miguel formally filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for re-election on Monday morning, firing off the highly-anticipated political spectacle in this city and the neighboring areas in the coming days.
The mayor, wearing the administration party’s signature yellow polo shirt, and a number of supporters arrived in a festive mood at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office at the old City Hall building at around 8:15 a.m.
Miguel was the first candidate to file his COC at the city election office.
“We officially received his COC at 8:28 a.m.,” city election officer, lawyer Richard Opinion, told reporters.
The mayor filed his COC as the official candidate of the LP, along with Councilor Oscar Pagunan, who is running for vice mayor.
Miguel, who is seeking a third term as mayor, has been the LP’s provincial chairperson since 2010.
The mayor said he decided to file his COC early so he could immediately return to work and attend to some important concerns of the city government.
“It’s now back to regular business and back to normal work for me. The (2016) elections is still months away so it’s time to set aside politics for now,” he said after emerging from the city election office.
Miguel said he will leave for Manila today for a 10-day official trip to Arequipa, Peru to attend the 45th International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) World Congress.
He represents the country and the city’s Pyesta Kolon Datal in the CIOFF as an associate member.
For their city council slate, Miguel said their 10 official candidates will file their COCs onWednesday, Oct. 14.
He said their line-up is almost set but noted that the selection process for “the most worthy candidates” is still ongoing.
The list is led by incumbent city councilors Edwin Abris, Mark Lapides, Ma. Antonina Hurtado, Rose Dideles, Rogelio Cadellino.
Those being considered for the slate are former South Cotabato board member and city councilor Henry Aguirre; Annabelle Pingoy, wife of former South Cotabato governor Arthur, Liga ng mga Barangay city federation pesident Rogelio Joquino, James Lagasca and Lotlot Ogoy.
The mayor confirmed that his father, former Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel, will challenge incumbent South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes in the 2016 elections.
The elder Miguel lost to Fuentes in his second bid for the gubernatorial post in the 2013 polls.
He said South Cotabato board member and Philippine Councilor’s League provincial chair Bernie Palencia will be his father’s running mate and will challenge incumbent Vice Gov. Cecile Diel. (MindaNews)
