Eleksyon 2013

'Odd' bets among early birds in COC filing

October 1, 2012 9:13am

Tags: COMELEC

(Updated 2:46 p.m.) - Candidates who may be considered to be on the odd side were among the early birds who flocked to the Commission on Elections in Manila Monday to file their certificates of candidacy for the 2013 polls.

Before the Comelec offices opened to accept COCs, a senatorial bet wearing a suit, shades and a bow tie showed up and declared his plan to run for senator.

"Isa ‘yan sa aking ambisyon, para magbago ang takbo ng pamahalaan, militar at gobyerno," said the candidate who introduced himself as Daniel Magtira.

Magtira, 52, who claimed to be a resident of Manila's Tondo district, sported a black nameplate with the words "Sen. Magtira."

He also claimed to have worked on a television show, and the husband of media personality Kris Aquino.

In a prepared speech, Magtira said he loves "peace over war," and that he intends to bring justice in the Philippines.

"(Kailangan nating) humingi ng katarungan sa buhay, hindi mga linta na sumisipsip ng dugo," he told reporters.

In his COC, he wrote that he is married to the sister of President Noynoy Aquino, and that he is nominated by Ferdinand Marcos' first lady, Imelda Marcos.

Magtira is one of three independent hopefuls who have so far expressed their intent to run as senator in the 2013 midterm polls, less than an hour since the Comelec opened for the filing of COCs Monday.

Meanwhile, engineer Aeric Bernardino of Caloocan city said he has filed his COC to run as senator so he could "tell the Filipino people" of his advocacies–more winners for the lotto, a seven-storey building "for the people," and a publication of the Filipino encyclopedia.

The engineer, however, said he does not expect to qualify as a senatorial bet.

"Honestly, hindi ko ine-expect na mananalo ako. Gusto ko lang ishare ang aking mga advocacies," Bernardino told reporters after filing his COC.

He said this is the second time he has filed his bid to be Senator.

The first independent candidate on Monday is a certain businessman, Anicio Escosura of Teresa, Rizal. He however immediately left the Comelec upon filing his COC.

Meanwhile, another senatorial hopeful Merlito Lagata went to the point of condemning the former Election chairpersons – such as Benjamin Abalos and Christian Monsod – for disqualifying him since he started filing his COCs in 1992.

Lagata — topped with curly hair and suited with Barong Tagalog and boots — came in the Comelec mid-afternoon to officially announce his senatorial bid.

A retired marine from Sorsogon, Lagata filed his bid for president in 1992, 1998, 2004, while for senator in 2001 and 2007. He was disqualified in all instances.

“Lahat sila nagkasala sa Saligang Batas. Inilagay nila sa kamay nila ang batas!” Lagata told reporters after filing his COC.

“I got all the probable causes and substantial evidence (to be a candidate),” the senatorial hopeful added.

To the surprise of reporters, he even shook hands with GMA News reporter Tina Panganiban-Perez and 'proposed' to her.

“Pag hindi lang ako nauna sa banig, pakakasalan kita sa kahit anong simbahan!” Lagata told Perez amid the hoots form her fellow reporters.

Fiesta atmosphere

Meanwhile, a fiesta atmosphere was observed around the Comelec head office in Manila as bets' supporters set up gimmicks and campaign materials.

Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez posted on his Twitter account early Monday a photo of the supporters of a senatorial bet setting up a tarpaulin more than an hour before the Comelec would start accepting COCs.

"One of the earliest to arrive," Jimenez commented.

A separate report by dzBB's Nimfa Ravelo said the area outside the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila had a fiesta atmosphere even before 7 a.m.

Many candidates and their supporters already set up flaglets and other campaign materials near the Palacio del Gobernador where the Comelec office is located, the report said.

Some dancers of another senatorial bet were seen practicing their moves in time for the filing of COCs, it added.

The Comelec had appealed last Friday to candidates to avoid extravagance in filing their COCs.

Senatorial candidates were to start filing their COCs starting 8 a.m.

Meanwhile, Jimenez reminded candidates there will be no extension for the filing of COCs after 5 p.m. of October 5.

"On the last day hanggang 5 p.m. lang talaga," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said those wanting to file their COCs at the last minute should at least be at the filing area by 4:45 p.m. of Friday.

"Kung darating lang kayo 5 o pasado 5, hindi kayo pagbibigyan," Jimenez said. –With a report from Marc Jayson Cayabyab/KG/RSJ, GMA News

Tags: COMELEC

Eleksyon 2013

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