Explosion marks COC filing of Bulacan party

MALOLOS CITY– An explosion marked the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for members of the Partido Del Pilar here Monday as they marched from the historic Barasoain Church to the provincial office of the Commission on Elections.

No one was reported injured, but it momentarily delayed the march of members of the local party Del Pilar, led by former governor Josie de la Cruz and her brother incumbent Gov. Joselito Mendoza.

Police and witnesses said the explosion startled people at the intersection of MacArthur Highway and Paseo Del Congreso here around 9:30 a.m.

It was caused by a spark of a lighted skyrocket locally known as kwitis that ignited bundles of other skyrockets on the back of a red pick-up truck.

Two persons were allegedly on board the red pick-up but they managed to jump.

Police said they have no record of the incident as no one filed a police report.

Members of the Partido Del Pilar said they were 200 meters away from the pick-up truck when the explosion happened.

Witnesses who believe in superstition said that the explosion could be a bad omen of things to come.

However, former senior board member Pacifico Ania, the vice gubernatorial candidate of the Partido Del Pilar, thinks otherwise.

In a text message, he said, “personally, I’m not superstitious. According to some, it could also mean good omen.”

The same was echoed by Board Member Christian Natividad, the mayoralty candidate of the Partido Del Pilar.

After the brief delay in the Barasoain to Comelec march of the party members, they filed their COCs as from nothing happened.

They were led by De la Cruz who is staging a comeback for her old position, while Mendoza filed his COC as the party’s candidate for the third congressional district in the province.

Mendoza’s filing of COC erased doubts on his next political plans, which simmered over a week ago when he said he is still thinking of what to do next.

On Saturday, incumbent Vice Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado filed his COC for governor, along with his running mate, actor and former senior board member Daniel Fernando. -- DL