CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Former government officials will vie for various elective positions as they submitted their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on the last day of filing in the Commission on Elections satellite offices in Northern Mindanao on Tuesday.
Former 1st District representative Juliette Uy filed her COC in Misamis Oriental, aspiring to be elected governor.
She will compete for the position in the 2025 midterm elections with incumbent Governor Peter Unabia, who is seeking a second term.
Former Social Security commissioner and tourism undersecretary Jose Gabriel La Viña also filed his COC for mayorship in this city, his third attempt at the position.
After serving as a cabinet member in the Duterte administration, La Viña was appointed administrator of the Phividec Industrial Authority in Misamis Oriental.
During this time, La Viña also acted as a resource person at the quad committee hearing at the House of Representatives regarding alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities.
Another former Phividec executive, lawyer Franklin Quijano, is seeking a return to Iligan City as he filed his COC for mayor.
His stint as an administrator at Phividec in 2018 paved the way for the signing of a locator agreement with a steel processing company in this city that has alleged links to POGO.
Quijano became the chief commissioner of the National Commission of Senior Citizens but was suspended for 90 days in July for alleged administrative complaints.
In Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, lawyer Henry Oaminal Jr. said he would no longer seek a second term as mayor in their city but endorsed a party mate and a lineup of councilors.
"While there is still much to do for the city to reach its full potential, there are other ways I can help it get there," Oaminal, a lawyer, said in a statement.
In Bukidnon province, incumbent Governor Rogelion Neil Roque's bid for a second term for the provincial chief executive position will be challenged as Valencia City Mayor Azucena Huervas and Pangantucan Municipal Mayor Miguel Silva, filed their COCs. (PNA)
