By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Governor Esteban Evan Nonoy Contreras and two of his congressional bets in the first and second districts of Capiz formally filed their Certificates of Candidacies (COC) for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.
Contreras is seeking re-election under the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Cusi faction, while former governor Jose Borda and Mambusao Mayor Leodegario Labao Jr. will run for congressman in the first and second districts of Capiz, respectively.
The three submitted certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA) duly signed by the PDP-Laban secretary-general.
Many observers were surprised after Borda filed his COC for first district congressman amid earlier reports that either retired provincial engineer Edgar Agana or incumbent Pontevedra mayor Esteban Dodoy Contreras (Gov. Contreras’s father) were being groomed for the post.
Former governor and Roxas City Mayor Vicente Bermejo joined the group during the filing at Robinsons Place-Roxas.
Contreras’ candidates for provincial board members will file their COCs any time before the October 8 deadline:
-First district: incumbent senior board member Steve Contreras, former board members Eduardo Magallanes and Blesilda Perez-Almalbis, Panitan Vice Mayor Byron Delfin and former Panay Vice Mayor Gualberto “Diutay” Bernas III; and
-Second district: former board members Jeffry Layo and Cruz-Am (either father Aldwin or son Fritz), Sapian councilor Ferdinand “Bugs” Baguio, Tapaz councilor Inday Gabucay-San Felix, and retired provincial police director Julio Gustilo Jr.
Contreras, meanwhile, confirmed that former Roxas City Mayor Angel Alan Celino and his son city councilor Jericho Angel Celino are now supporting the PDP-Laban after they jumped ship from the Liberal Party of former Senator Mar Roxas ll.
The younger Celino is eyeing the vice mayor slot under PDP-Laban party’s bet for mayor, former board member Rommel Lastimoso, but it reportedly went to former city councilor Powell del Rosario.
The party’s bets for Roxas City will file their COCs on Wednesday, October 6.