TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Provincial Supervisor for Cavite Juanito V. Ravanzo Jr. said yesterday that he sees a sound, virile and friendly election as the five-day filing of certificates of candidacy (CoCs) started and ended with a cordial and festive mood among aspirants and supporters. Ravanzo said there are exactly 40 candidates vying for the provincial seats – governor, vice governor, and board members – and 11 for congressional representatives of the 5th, 6th and 7th congressional districts of the province. Of the total 51, nine are independent candidates. The other congressional aspirants have filed their CoCs at the lone districts of Bacoor (2nd), Imus (3rd) and Dasmariñas (4th). (Anthony Giron)

3-WAY CONTEST

BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The governorship here will be contested by three-termer Bataan 2nd District Rep. Abet S. Garcia (National Unity Party), Pablo Roman, Jr. of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), and one unheralded candidate named Patrick Santos, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed the other day. Rep. Garcia, eldest son of incumbent Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia, will have as his running mate, reelectionist Vice Gov. Efren Pascual Jr., while Roman will team up with former Board Member Jun Uy. Roman is the elder brother of former Gov. Ding Roman whose wife, Herminia, seeks reelection as Bataan 1st District representative, a position challenged by Edwin Enrile of the NPC. (Mar T. Supnad)

BUZZER BEATER

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — A security agency operator has beat the “last-two-minutes” deadline in filing the certificate of candidacy (COC) in this city last Friday. Ber Bulanon, 56, who claims he owns the SBNB Security Force and resides on Buliran Road, San Luis, this city, submitted his COC before the office of City Election Officer Atty. Arnulfo Pioquinto, at exactly 4:58 p.m. If he gets elected as the city’s 2nd District representative, Bulanon vowed to generate jobs and impement a housing program for constituents. (Nel B. Andrade)

HEAD-ON

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan — One of the most anticipated races for public office in northern Luzon would be the head-on battle for governor between the incumbent, Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr., and Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza. Braganza, a Liberal Party bet, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) at 4 p.m. Friday with retired former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Arturo Lomibao as his running mate. Espino, on the other hand, filed for reelection last Wednesday in tandem with incumbent Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim and all reelectionist board members from the first to the sixth districts of the province. (Liezle Basa Iñigo)

PINEDA TANDEM

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Governor Lilia Pineda filed on Friday a certificate of candidacy (COC) for reelection under a new party called “Kambilan,” which stands for  Kapanalig at Kambilan ding Memalen Pampanga (Allies and Defenders of the Citizens of Pampanga). The governor was accompanied by her son Dennis “Delta” Pineda, who is her running mate; Vice Governor Joseller Guiao who is running for congressman in the 1st District; and Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo who wants to represent the 4th District in Congress. Pineda will be slugging it out with former priest and governor Eddie Panlilio. (Franco G. Regala)