GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The city streets leading to the Commission on Elections’ office flowed normally, and the Comelec office was a picture of normal life, with only three independent candidates filing their Certificates of Candidacy on the first day of filing for the 2022 National and Local Elections.
For Joseph Señerez, the team leader of the city’s traffic management office “The flow of vehicles was normal and it is like any day, we did not see any group going to the Comelec.”
Señerez group was stationed in front of the Comelec office just a few steps away from the busy intersection of the city street fronting the General Santos City Hall.
Among the three early birds is young entrepreneur Jomar Garcia Rotone, who said the failure of the government to respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic inspires him to seek public office as City Councilor.
“It is a failure and I am among those who felt the crisis because I see my fellow small entrepreneurs seeking refuge to loan sharks for capital just to survive.”
While 59-year-old Roberto Dosejo, who served the city government for less than a decade said, “I want my city to further improve and my entry will make a difference.”
Comelec assistant Clint Vincent said as of 2:00 pm only three filed their COC’s but he heard reports that Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao’s group will file their COC’s tomorrow, October 2.
Pacquiao is running as President this time.
Vicente told Newsline, “Maybe candidates will flock on the nth hour, we still have seven (7) days left, as he revealed many are still securing COC forms from their office.
He advised candidates to prepare all the documents before going to their office and make sure they follow health protocols like wearing face masks, Face Shields and maintain social distancing while inside their office.-Editha Z. Caduaya
