Michael Lawana Cancels His Certificate Of Candidacy For Baguio City Vice-Mayor

Michael Lawana, the President of the Baguio City Association of Barangay Councils and Baguio City ex-officio Councilor, has cancelled his certificate of candidacy for Vice-Mayor. Lawana posted on Facebook a photo of the COC with the word "cancelled" written over it in big bold letters. Had Lawana pursued the position, he would be up against five other candidates namely Fred Bagbagen, Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Jeffrey Pinic, Edison Bilog, and Isabelo Cosalan.

In the same post, Lawana implied that he will be preparing for the 2019 elections. Here's what the ABC President wrote:

"Running for office is not only a big commitment on my part but also of my family as I have planned to run for public office this 2016.However,after deep and anxious consideration of many emotions and reactions especially from my family,friends,supporters and my staff on the correctness of my course of action-with HUMILITY,I opted not to engage and run for any office.

This decision was also founded from two important considerations:1.in respect to my senior colleagues in the political realm--I'll give my support to them,with great hope that they will perform well should they be given the mandate from God and the electorate;and 2.there remains a lot things to be done in the 128 barangays in the City of Baguio--to the barangay leaders who braved to venture in this political exercise,I salute you and deserves my commendation and support.Thank you very much and God Bless the City of Baguio!"

Image source: Michael Lawana via Facebook.

Complete List Of Political Candidates In Baguio City For Next Year's Elections

The last day of filing for certificates of candidacy at the local office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was today (October 16). The latest update by Comelec shows that five candidates are gunning for Congressman, four for Mayor, five for Vice-Mayor and a whooping 46 candidates for councilor. Below is a list of their names and the political parties they are running under.

Congressman:

Aliping, Nicasio Jr. M. - Liberal party, Incumbent

Aspilan, Rudy M. - Independent

Duque, Edgardo L. - Independent

Go, Marquez O. - Nacionalista Party

Vergara, Bernardo M. - Nationalist People's Coalition

Mayor:

Claravall, Edilberto T. - Independent

Domogan, Mauricio G. - United Nationalist Alliance, Incumbent

Hernandez, Guillermo C. - Independent

Molintas, Jose M. - NPC

Vice-Mayor:

Bagbagen, Fred L. - Independent
Bilog, Edison R. - NPC, Incumbent

Cosalan, Isabelo Jr. B. - Liberal Party

Pinic, Jeffrey B. - Independent

Tabanda, Betty Lourdes F. - UNA

Councilor:

Abratique, Marilou C. - Independent
Alangsab, Joel A. - Liberal Party

Allad-iw, Arthur L. - Liberal Party

Ananayo, Carlos P. - NPC

Ang, Stanford C. - NP

Apostol, Ed V. - Independent

Avila, Edgar M. - UNA

Awingan, Roberto A. - NPC

Bagalawis, Ricardo Jr. C. - NP

Balajadia, Erdolfo V. - UNA
Batnag, Pablo K. - Independent

Bautista, Joderek Carlos - Independent

Bayasen, Ferdie - Independent

Bomogao, Benny O. - UNA

Bumanglag, Villamor A. - UNA

Cabato, Joseph Francis C. - LIberal Party

Cayabas, Vladimir D. - UNA

Coteng, Robin G. - PMM

Datuin, Elmer O. - UNA

De Castro, Marlene B. - UNA
Estolas, Lalaine N. - Independent

Farinas, Lilia A. - UNA

Fianza, Peter c. - Independent

Gaerlan, John Glenn F. - Independent
Gapuz, Edilberto C. - Independent

Macadangdang, Benjamin A. - NPC

Mandapat, Federico Jr. J. - UNA

Mayos, Grace R. - NP

Mazo, Alan Antonio S. - Independent

Nialla, Nicanor N. - NPC

Olowan, Faustino A. - NPC
Orate, Reena R. - UNA

Orca, Virgilio Jr. D. - Liberal party

Ortega, Roberto C. - UNA
Padawil, Francis T. -Independent
Pajarillaga, Arturo Jr. V. - NPC

Paraan, Rudolfo A. - Liberal Party

Perez, Ronald L. - Liberal Pary

Sembrano, Elaine D. - UNA

Sugano, Gueliro M. - NPC

Tongawan, Connie C. - Independent

Ueda, Eric O. - Independent

Uy, Gerry P. - Independent

Vergara, Jonathan A. - NPC

Yangot, Leandro Jr. B. - Liberal Party

Yaranon, Maria Mylen Victoria G. - Liberal Party

Former Itogon Mayor Oscar Camantiles To Run For Governor In Benguet In Next Year's Election

Politics in Benguet is starting to heat up with the recent announcement of former Itogon Mayor Oscar Camantiles that he will be running for governor in next year's contest. Camantiles served as Itogon's Mayor from 2010 to 2013. He ran for reelection in 2013 but he lost to Victorio Palangdan. Camantiles is known to family, friends, and supporters by his nickname Oka.

Sun Star Baguio reported on Wednesday that Camantiles has indeed declared his intention to run for governor and that his platform of government will be highlighting the enhancement of tourism and further development of the province's agricultural industry. Camantiles also said that he will be running as an independent.

On his Facebook page, Camantiles posted a photo with a caption that said, "Malapit na mga minamahal kong kababayan sa napakagandang probinsiya ng Benguet!!!"

The Commission on Elections will be accepting certificates of candidacy from October 12 to 16. Benguet's sitting Governor is Nestor Fongwan. It's still unknown if Fongwan will run for reelection or if he will shoot for a higher position.

Image source: Oscar Camantiles's Facebook page.