Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday said the United Negros Alliance is not fielding any replacement candidates for the May 2016 polls.

The governor said the Certificates of Candidacy filed by the Unega bets in October are final, amid rumors that some substitute bets may be fielded in the third and first district.

Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that "if after the last day for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC), an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party dies, withdraws, or is disqualified for any cause, only a person belonging to the same political party may file a certificate of candidacy to replace the candidate,” Provincial Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez said earlier.

He said a substitute candidate for one who withdraws from the race must file his/her COC not later than December 10, according to Comelec Resolution 9984.

As to the Magdalo partylist survey showing Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero leading in the presidential and vice presidential race, Marañon said everyone has a survey.

Marañon, who is supporting the Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo tandem, said his survey has different results from that of the Magdalo group.

Marañon said he is confident the voters, especially the youth, will vote wisely because they know their future is at stake.

The Filipino youth will vote for the most qualified and honest candidates, he said.

He said the 2016 polls is sort of a referendum on the “Daang Matuwid (Straight Path)” started by President Benigno Aquino that Roxas and Robredo have vowed to continue.

Aquino is not perfect but he has done a lot for the country that previous presidents have not achieved, he said.

Marañon noted that under Aquino's watch the national budget of P1.2 trillion increased to more than P3 trillion in a span of five years.

If what Aquino started is continued for another five years, the country's growth and the delivery of basic needs to the people will even double, the governor added.*CPG

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