It will be an "easy sailing" for the incumbent mayor of Valenzuela City in the 2010 elections after a political figure considered as his strongest opponent failed to file his candidacy as substitute to the official candidate of the Lakas-CMD-Kampi party.

The local office of the Commission on Elections ( Comelec) in Valenzuela City confirmed Monday that the camp of former mayor Emmanuel "Bobbit" L. Carlos had earlier sent feelers that he would file his candidacy as mayor substituting the official candidate of Lakas-CMD-Kampi to challenge Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian.

The local poll office, however, said the period for substitution lapsed last Dec. 14 without any substitution for mayoral post or for any other positions.

Gatchalian, a stalwart of the Nationalist People's Coaltion (NPC), is gunning for his third term and will now face tabloid columnist Pablo Hernandez and Manuel Carreon.

Political groups in the city said they are considered lighter opponents for Gatchalian in view of his good track record and performance and the presence of his formidable political machinery.