Ricci Reluya (center), who will replace his father, Ricardo Jr., as vice mayor candidate of San Fernando town, is yet to file his certificate of candidacy. | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Despite the public announcement that Ricci Reluya will be taking the place of slain San Fernando Councilor Ricardo Reluya in the town’s vice mayoral race, the younger Reluya has yet to file his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) barely three weeks before the May 13, 2019 midterm elections.
Mario Oville, election officer of Comelec San Fernando, said Ricci has until noontime on election day, May 13, to file his COC and the certificate of substitution.
“[He can file here] pero pwede sad sa provincial Comelec office or sa regional office,” Oville said.
(He can either file his COC here at the local Comelec office, in the provincial or the regional office.)
Reelectionist Mayor Lakambini Reluya announced during their opening campaign rally on March 29 that his eldest son, Ricci Regen, will be taking the place of Councilor Reluya who passed away in an ambush last January 22.
During the announcement, Mayor Reluya also said that they turned down an offer of political asylum from the US government so they can continue to serve the people of San Fernando.
San Fernando town, which is currently in the orange category of the Election Watchlist Areas (EWAs), has recently gained notoriety after at least three of their town officials were gunned down in separate incidents.
On Wednesday, April 23, Mayor Reluya presided a peace and order council meeting and formed Task Force Kahapsay ug Kalinaw following reports of threats against their supporters and political allies.
Police Major Lymel Pasquin, for his part, urged those who received threats to report to their station so they can act on it accordingly. /celr