2 more bets substituted

Two more political aspirants withdrew their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) they had earlier filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and had themselves substituted last week.

Mayoral candidate Neil Taboada Riveral who is with Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi Katipunan Party (KKK-KP) filed His Statement of Withdrawal on November 8. He withdrew twenty-one days after he filed his COC.

Jose Noel Cavada replaced him as candidate for mayor.

Ma. Ida Padernal Gabato also followed suit. Originally, she was running for a seat in the Toledo City Council under KKK-KP. She withdrew on the same day as Riveral.

Jeah Jean Edoloverio Gacang replaced Gabato. No reason was stated for the switch.

Both Riveral and Gabato could not be reached for comments.

With the recent substitution, the mayoral candidates in Toledo City remain at five.

Aside from Cavada, the other four candidates are Merly Abad (independent), Walter Lao of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Marjorie Perales (independent), and Arlene Zambo of PDP-Laban.

The incumbent city mayor, John Henry Osmeña, has filed his COC and aims to be the third district representative.

For vice mayor, Ricardo Pepito of PDP-LABAN, Jay Sigue (independent), Miles Trocio Jr. of KKK-KP, and incumbent vice mayor Antonio Yapha Jr. of NPC have filed their COCs.

A total of 35 aspirants had filed their COC for city councilor.

Commission on Elections Officer Lionel Marco Castillano said that substitution is allowable until November 29.

In the whole Cebu province, three substitutions have already been recorded as of press time.

The first reported substitution at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor was in the first district.

Dr. Ron del Mar is the new candidate for first district representative of the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan - Democratic Party of the Philippines (PDDSDPP) after his partymate Rodolfo Flormata submitted a statement which withdrew his COC.

Castillano said that once the original candidate has filed a statement to withdraw his COC, the substitute only have to submit a fully accomplished COC and a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) from the political party list. —