Cebu politics: When Dad’s presence is enough

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Liberal Party (LP)-Cebu provincial chairman and gubernatorial bet Hilario “Junjun” Davide III was the first to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) here on Monday, October 1.

Davide filed his COC at exactly 8 a.m, according to Commission on Elections supervisor Lionel Castilliano. Unlike other candidates who brought with them supporters and party members, Davide was only accompanied by his father, former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

Davide has to finalize the provincial slate of the LP here as well as sign hundreds of Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for the party’s candidates throughout the province.

The deadline for the filing of COCs for national and local candidates is October 5.

Another early bird was Cebu Rep. Simeon “Sim-K” Kintanar, who filed his COC for his re-election bid for the province’s 2nd congressional district as an independent candidate. The daughter of the late Vice Governor Greg Sanchez, Engr. Grezilda “Gigi” Sanchez-Zaballero, also filed her candidacy for the 3rd district. She seeks to replace her father who died of cancer.

Incumbent 6th district Rep Luigi Quisumbing also filed his COC at 11 a.m. – Ryan Christopher Sorote/Rappler.com