LEGAZPI CITY — The gubernatorial race in Albay is now a four-cornered fight between reelectionist Al Francis Bichara (PDP-Laban), Vice Governor Harold Imperial (Liberal Party), lawyer Zacarias Zaragoza, a retired Commission on Elections (Comelec-Bicol) regional director (independent), and Gamal Arcilla, a former military general (Labor Party of the Philippines).
All four beat the Comelec-imposed deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman who is running for re-election under the Liberal Party, is being challenged by incumbent Santo Domingo town mayor Herbie Aguas.
Aguas, who is on his last term as mayor, will run under the banner of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) party. He filed his COC Wednesday morning at the Comelec provincial office.
On the other hand, Ako Bicol Party (AKB) nominees filed also on Wednesday their respective COCs at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.
AKB Rep. Alfredo Garbin, in a phone interview, said he and lawyers Justine Batocabe and Bobby Ang filed their COCs at around 9:27 a.m.
Garbin said after undergoing the selection procedure, he was chosen as the party’s first nominee followed by Batocabe, and Ang as the third nominee.
Batocabe, 30, is the eldest son of AKB Rep. Rodel Batocabe who is on his last term as House representative.
Ang replaces Rep. Christopher Co who is now on his third term as AKB solon. (PNA)
