The Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex is full of aspirants for the barangay, SK elections, who are there to file their certificate of candidacy there. | Mary Rose Sagarino
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — Residents in Mandaue City, who wanted to run in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, flocked to the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex on Monday, August 28, to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs).
The Commission on Elections in Mandaue City (Comelec-Mandaue) designated the sports complex as the venue of the filing of COCs because they already expected that many people would run in the upcoming polls scheduled this October 30 especially since the city had 27 barangays.
READ: Comelec-Mandaue needs more clustered precincts for BSKE
Early aspirants, supporters
“Sayo kaayo sila, ang uban wala pay 8 a.m naa na. Bisan nag-uwan, daghan nagfile gihapon sila,” said Comelec-Mandaue Election Officer, Lawyer Annafleur Gujilde.
(They were here early, others were here even before 8 a.m. Even if it was raining, many also filed (their COCs).)
Aside from candidates, supporters also flocked to the complex to witness the filing of COCs of their bet aspirants. Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla also came to support his friend, a businessman, who filed his certificate of candidacy for barangay captain in Opao.
READ: 42 cluster precincts to be added in 9 brgys – Comelec-Mandaue
Green, red shirts
As the sports complex was filled with aspirants and supporters, it can be noticed that the majority of them were wearing colored green and red shirts.
It can be recalled that green is the political color of Mayor Jonas Cortes while red represents Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon.
Despite this, they clarified that they are in good relationship and continues working together for the improvement of Mandaue City.
READ: Comelec Mandaue prepares for Barangay, SK elections
“Kani’ng barangay man gud, ilaha’ng prerogrative if they want to wear red or green. Sa ako lang maayo man amoang relasyun ni Mayor Jonas. Kani mang gud barangay election is different. There is democracy dinhi sa atoa sa Mandaue. Kinsay managan wala gyud tay gipugngan. Mao ra gyud akoa nga nagdahom nga malinawon, kung kinsay makadaog in God’s will makatabang sa kaayuhan sa Mandaue,” said Ouano-Dizon.
(Here in our barangays, it is their prerogative if they want to wear red or green. For me, I have a good relationship with Mayor Jonas (Cortes). But this barangay election is different. There is democracy here in our Mandaue. Those who want to run we don’t stop them. What I want is that we hope that the elections will be peaceful, whoever will win in God’s will can help to make Mandaue better.)
READ: PNP identifies areas of concern for 2023 barangay, SK polls
Vice Mayor Bercede
“Dili ko motuo ana (division) until maabot 2025 (city election). Maayo gihapon ang relasyun, kani barangay election man, natiming lang nga mga kaliwat (run for election) pero after sa election sa barangay naa gihapoy unity,” said Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede.
(We don’t believe in that (division) until we can reach 2025 (city election.) Our relationship is still be okay, this barangay election, it just so happens that those running are our relatives but after the election in the barangay there is still unity.)
Ouano-Dizon was part of the line-up of TEAM Mandaue of Cortes during the local and national elections in 2022.
READ: PNP identifies areas of concern for 2023 barangay, SK polls
COC starts today, ends Sept. 2
The filing of COCs, which starts today, August 28, will last until Saturday, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.
Election Officer Gujilde is also reminding candidates to refrain from premature campaigning such as wearing of campaign shirts with their face, name, and position, among others until the start of the campaign period from October 19 to 28.