More than 5T aspirants have filed COCs in province

More than 5,000 people have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) in Cebu for next month’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

Within the first three days of the election period that began last Saturday, 5,670 people from Cebu Province and the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City have filed their COCs.

The number included those running for barangay captain, councilors and SK members, said lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Cebu Provincial Election supervisor.

“Auspicious” date

On the first day of the filing of COCs, 1,583 aspiring candidates filed their certificates, followed by 1,211 the next day. Last Monday, 2,876 aspiring candidates filed their COCs.

But Castillano told reporters yesterday that he expects more aspirants to flock to election offices today, April 18, due to “superstitious reasons.”

“Swerte daw ang 18 kung matud pa sa pungsoy (The number 18 is considered a good luck number in Feng Shui),” Castillano said.

But some candidates, especially the veterans, will file their COCs on the last day to survey the playing field. Some even went to election offices not to file their COCs, but to ask for forms and requirements.

“Ang uban gud, as part of the political strategy, maminaw kung kinsa ilang kontra o kung naa bay kontra. Sukdon pa nila before sila mulansar (Some of them want to know who they’re up against before they file their COC),” Castillano added.