Pols, unknown aspirants file COCs in Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY — Baguil City bets for the midterm elections next year filed their candidacies last week.

 Adoption advocate and social activist Arthur Dimaguila, 39, who is gunning for a seat in the 14-member city council, kicked off election season in this summer capital on Thursday.

This, as bets from established political parties started going to the local election office on the first day for the filing of certificates of candidacies for the midterm elections on May 13, 2019.

Dimaguila, who has lived in Baguio for a year, said he will push for local legislation that he said former and incumbent councillors have "failed to touch."

Other early birds at the filing were Liberal Party bets led by former Baguio Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr. Aliping is running to regain his old seat while Jose Molintas, a former city councilor, is running for mayor.

Other Liberals in the slate are Councilors Mylen Yaranon and Arthur Alad-iw, former Councilors Richard Carino and Isabelo Cosalan, lawyer Ronald Perez and rookie Vic Jimenez.

PDP-Laban arrived around noon accompanied by supporters in white and blue. They were led by Rep. Marquez Go (Baguio City), who is seeking a second term. He was accompanied by Vice Mayor Edison Bilog, who is running for mayor, and Councilor Faustino Olowan, who is running for vice mayor.

PDP-Laban is fielding a full 12-member council slate, which includes Councilors Elaine Sembrano and Joel Alangsab, former Councilor Philian Weygan, barangay chairpersons Thomas Dumalti and Grace Mayos, local opera singer John Gaerlan, Pastor John Bagalawis, lawyer Zosimo Abratique, events coordinator Pamela Bomogao and disc jockey Rico John Ferrer.

Baguio Commission on Elections supervisor John Paul Martin said Domogan is running for a House seat and is fielding Councilor Edgar Avila as a mayoral candidate and Elmer Datuin for vice mayor.

Independents like Councilor Leandro Yangot filed their COCs, Martin said. Former Philippine National Police Deputy Director Benjamin Magalong,also filed his candidacy for mayor. No one from Benguet province has filed their COCs yet, Benguet election supervisor Elenita Tabangin-Capuyan confirmed Thursday afternoon.

Former Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan, who is running for congressman, filed his COC on Oct. 17. Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan is expected to run against Fongwan.