BANGUED, Abra, (PIA) – The Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor (OPES) of Abra reported a generally peaceful filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) in the province.
Provincial Election Supervisor lawyer Nicasio S. Jacob said no untoward incident was reported during the filing period from October 1 to October 8, 2024.
“As to assessment, very peaceful ta awan met ti nangyari nga saan a nasayaat manipud October 1 agingga October 8. Adda lang dagiti kamali ti certificates which is normal laeng kas jay nagan nga umuna kuma diay apilido, ket age at the time of election ket kaaduan na age during filing of COC met isunga isubli met ket nasimpa met,” Nicasio said.
[As to assessment, well very peaceful since there were no incidents reported from October 1 to October 8. There were just some errors in the certificates which are normal like the names where the surname should be first, and the age at the time of election, not on the day of filing. We returned the COCs to the concerned aspirants and these were fixed.]
Jacob clarified that those who filed their COCs are not yet candidates but aspirants.
“Not yet, they are considered as aspirants until the start of the campaign period for local positions which is on March 28, 2025. Once campaign period starts, that’s the time restrictions will apply to them,” he said.
For the provincial positions, two aspirants filed for the gubernatorial post. Former Abra Governor Eustaquio ‘Takit’ Bersamin under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Joaquin Enrico ‘Kiko’ Bernos, incumbent vice-mayor of Bangued.
For the vice governor post, aspirants are Joy Bernos and Marie Bersamin.
Three aspirants seek to represent Abra in the House of Representatives namely; incumbent La Paz Mayor and current national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Joseph Sto. Niño ‘JB’ Bernos, Bangued Mayor Mila Valera, and Derdrei ‘Deydey’ Roce Luna Ifurung.
For the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, there are 14 aspirants for the 1st district and seven for the 2nd district. (CAGT-PIA CAR, Abra)
