The filing of Certificates of Candidacy ended at midnight yesterday with three candidates running for governor, one for vice governor, 21 for the 12 provincial board seats and 14 for the six congressional seats of Negros Occidental.

Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco and the candidates for board member of the second and sixth districts are unopposed.

The latest to file their certificates of candidacy for congressmen were Jules Ledesma IV (Lakas CMD) and Ernesto Lindongan Librando (PMP) - first district, Oscar Arias (Independent) - second district, Reynaldo Depasucat (LP) - third district, and George Rivera Lopez (Independent) - 6th district.

Mediaman Luisito "Lui" Tribaco (KBL) yesterday was also the third candidate to throw in his hat into the gubernatorial race.

The additional bets for provincial board seats member were Samuel Lezama (KAMPI), 59, and Renato Gustilo (Lakas CMD), 47 - first district; Alberto Rojo (LP), 45 - third district; Jack Matti (KAMPI), 46, and Julio Aldeguer Jr. (Independent) - fourth district; and Emilio Yulo III (KAMPI), 43 - fifth district.

Depasucat who is challenging Jose Carlos Lacson's bid for re-election as congressman said his opponent appears to be strong but the third district needs to have change and a new direction, and he is more qualified for the job.

Depasucat said he is a lawyer who has served as mayor of EB Magalona for 12 years, and was elected number one board member of the province for the last three terms.

"My priority will be countryside development, health services, protection of the environment and poverty alleviation," he said.

"A law needs to be enacted to protect the Northern Negros Natural Park and on a more equitable sharing of the Internal Revenue Allotment in the towns," he added.

Tribaco, on the other had, said he was running for governor because with God nothing is impossible, and the people are his resources.

"Gov. Joseph Marañon is a good person and father of the province but I can do more," Tribaco said.

He said his mission is the "declaration of a new Negros PEACE (political, educational, agricultural, cultural and economics) liberation."

Also running for governor is German Tupaz Valladarez (Independent), a herbalist.

Marañon said this is a free country, anybody eligible to run for office is entitled to do so. Those running against him are not his enemies, they can dream of winning, too, he said.

Meanwhile, Matti, son of the late Rep. Edward Matti of the fourth district, said he is running because of his desire to serve the people as his father did before him.

The following are the candidates for congressmen and board members of Negros Occidental:

FIRST DISTRICT

CONGRESS: Tranquilino Carmona (NPC), Ernesto Lindogan Libranso (PMP) and Julio Ledesma IV (Lakas CMD).

PROVINCIAL BOARD: Fernando Leonor (Lakas CMD), Nehemias dela Cruz Sr. (NPC-UNA), Samuel Lezama (KAMPI) and Renato Gustilo (Lakas CMD).

SECOND DISTRICT

CONGRESS. Alfredo Marañon III (KAMPI) and Oscar Arias (Independent).

PROVINCIAL BOARD: Miller Serondo (NPC-UNA) and Eduardo Acuña (NPC-UNA).

THIRD DISTRICT

CONGRESS: Jose Carlos Lacson (Lakas CMD/UNA) and Reynaldo Depasucat (LP).

PROVINCIAL BOARD: Reynaldo Siason (LP), Janus Jarder (PMP), Patrick Lacson (Lakas CMD), Manuel Ko (NPC) and Alberto Rojo (LP).

FOURTH DISTRICT

CONGRESS: Jorge Camposano (KBL) and Jeffrey Ferrer (NPC).

PROVINCIAL BOARD: Julio Javellana (KBL), Janet Torres (NPC), Mae Javellana (NPC-UNA), and Julio Aldeguer (Independent) and Jack Matti (KAMPI).

FIFTH DISTRICT

CONGRESS: Jose Apolinario Lozada (LP/PDP-Laban), and Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (KAMPI/Lakas CMD/UNA).

PROVINCIAL BOARD: Melvin Ibañez (KAMPI), Anthony Occeño (LP) and Emilio Yulo II (KAMPI).

SIXTH DISTRICT

CONGRESS: Genaro Alvarez Jr. (UNA), Jesus Manuel Dabao (LP) and George Rivera Lopez (Independent).

PROVINCIAL BOARD. Adolfo Mangao (Lakas CMD) and Macario Zafra Jr. ( NPC).

Meanwhile, in Murcia town as of press time Esteban Coscolluela (KAMPI) was being challenged by Dennis Custodio (Independent) and Aquilino "Boy" Ciocon Jr.

In EB Magalona Reynaldo C. Depasucat was mulling seeking the disqualification of Mayor Aldon Gamboa from running for mayor, saying he was seeking a fourth term already which is against the law.

He said he could either file for Gamboa's disqualification before the COMELEC now or file for quo warranto proceedings against him if he wins.

Gamboa could not be reached for comment yesterday but a source said since Gamboa was only able to serve a three-year term for a few months before the 2004 elections because of an election protest, that did not count as a full term.*CPG

back to top