Ex-SoCot solon files COC for lone GenSan House seat

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Former South Cotabato first district Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. on Wednesday pushed through with his plan to run for the city’s newly created lone legislative district seat in the Oct. 26 special elections amid legal questions, which he admitted could even reach the Supreme Court (SC).

Acharon filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) around 1 p.m. at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here as the official candidate of the local political party Achievers with Integrity Movement (AIM).

He was accompanied by several supporters, his wife Rose and younger brother, Vice Mayor Loreto Acharon.

In an interview with reporters, Acharon said he reflected on his options for several days and only made a final decision on Tuesday night.

“Finally, I have decided to push through and accept the nomination of my party. As a good soldier, I have to follow,” he said.

Acharon said his decision to run is about “adhering to the request and desire of our people, and my partymates.”

He said he is aware of the looming legal questions and disqualification cases against him but stressed that he is ready to face them.

Acharon just completed his third term as first district representative of South Cotabato and this city in June.

The elections last May for the district was suspended by Comelec due to the redistricting of South Cotabato and establishing the city as a separate congressional district under Republic Act 11243. The municipalities of Tampakan, Polomolok, and Tupi now comprise the first district.

Acharon’s critics earlier said he is barred from running for the post based on the three-term limit set in Section 7, Article 6 of the 1987 Constitution.

But he said his situation is unique since his term already ended last June and he is already a private citizen when he filed his COC.

“I’m running in another district and there was an interruption in the continuity of service. So I believe it is my right to run because I’m qualified,” he said.

Acharon believes his situation is a “landmark case” and will be “the first time in Philippine history.”

“I will be happy because this issue will be resolved once and for all. I just hope that Comelec and maybe the SC will be able to resolve this fairly,” he said.

City Councilor Dominador Lagare, a stalwart of AIM’s rival People’s Champ Movement (PCM), said the Constitution is very clear on the three-term limit for members of the House of Representatives.

He said the extension of a term, which in the case of Acharon will be his fourth

straight run for Congress, is a violation of the Constitution and is backed by jurisprudence.

“If we don’t allow that (extension) for a President, how much more for a congressman?” said Lagare, who is a lawyer.

Another PCM member, City Councilor Franklin Gacal Jr. warned that it will be a huge risk for the city if Acharon wins the election as it will not have a representative at the House of Representatives in case the latter is eventually disqualified.

“It’s better for people not to vote for him to avoid that kind of situation,” he said.

PCM, a local political party founded by Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, has endorsed former Vice Mayor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles as its official candidate.

As of 3 p.m., two independent aspirants -- Benjie Rivera and Abelardo Plaza -- have filed their COCs at the city election office.

In the first district of South Cotabato, former provincial board member and Polomolok town mayor Isidro Lumayag filed his COC around 1 p.m. under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).

He was accompanied by his daughter, incumbent Pomolok Mayor Honey Lumayag-Matti, and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., the PFP national chair.

Former Tampakan town councilor Richard Ross Barroso and incumbent Polomolok Councilor Leo Cordova also filed their COCs as independent candidates.