BUTUAN CITY – One-thousand, six-hundred fifty-three individuals filed Certificates of Candidacy in the May elections in the Caraga region.
MACAPAGAL Bridge in Butuan City, the regional center of Caraga. (Wikipedia)
The Police Regional Office-13 said 17 are for governor, 12 vice governors, 23 representatives, 96 board members, 148 mayors, 143 vice mayors, and 1,214 councilors.
Four governors are seeking reelection – Agusan del Norte Gov. Maria Angelica Rosedell M. Amante, Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr., Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, and Dinagat Islands Gov. Nilo Demerey Jr.
Barbers is up against Surigao del Norte first district Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II. Demerey battles independent candidate Sonny Llamera.
Rep. Matugas endorsed his father former Gov. Francisco “Lalu” T. Matugas as his successor. The former provincial chief executive is battling Lucille Sering.
Two-term Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander “Ayec” Pimentel is running for congressman of the second district, going head on against former Cantilan Mayor Carla Lopez-Pichay.
Surigao del Sur second district Rep. Johnny Pimentel who is on his third and final term, is running for governor against former Education Undersecretary Epimaco Verano Densing III.
Butuan Mayor Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada is not running for ant position and endorsed his party mate in Team One Butuan, Vice Mayor Lawrence “Law” Fortun, for mayor.
Fortun is battling former Butuan City Rep. and PEZA Director General Charito “Ching” B. Plaza.