EARLY BIRDS. Alexander Acuzar (third from right), a businessman gunning for the mayoral post in Samal, Bataan and his entire municipal slate for the 2022 polls were the early birds in filing their certificates of candidacy (COC) on Friday (Oct. 1, 2021). They filed their COCs under the political party Aksyon Demokratiko. (Photo by Ernie Esconde)
SAMAL, Bataan – A businessman gunning for the mayoral post here and his entire municipal slate for next year's elections were the early birds in submitting their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on the first day of filing on Friday.
Alexander Acuzar, 44, who is in the construction business, together with re-electionist Vice Mayor Felix Espino Jr. and their eight candidates for the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council), filed their COCs under the political party Aksyon Demokratiko.
The municipal election office saw to it that the filing was orderly and compliant with safety protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Only the candidates were allowed to be seated in conformity with safe physical distancing rules inside the hall, where they were called one by one to submit their documents.
“Kaya ako tumakbo para sa kapakanan ng mga tao sa Samal na isang agricultural town. Gusto ko kahit paano mabago pamumuhay ng mga tao. Lumaki ako sa Samal at naging kasama ko mahihirap (I decided to run for the welfare of the people of Samal which is an agricultural town. I want to change the lives of the people. I grew up in Samal and have been in the company of the poor),” Acuzar said in a brief interview.
Candidates for the municipal council under the businessman's slate are re-electionists Marjun Bantay, Katrina Saldana, Vangie Buensuceso, Erval Flores, Dylan House, Edgar De Leon, Lolito Llanda, and James Manguiat.
All the candidates signed a pledge for the holding of clean and orderly polls after filing their COCs. (PNA)
