Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES
TACLOBAN CITY — At least 67 candidates in next year’s midterm elections in Eastern Visayas have no challengers.
Lawyer Maria Corazon Montallana, assistant regional director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Eastern Visayas, announced that most of these unopposed candidates are running for mayor and vice mayor.
A governor in Samar, three vice governors in Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte, and two congressmen in Samar are also guaranteed another term due to the absence of opponents.
Montallana said the presence of rivals during elections gives voters more options.
However, the lack of competition may also reflect the people’s satisfaction with their current officials.
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“These candidates may be unopposed because their constituents see the impact of their projects and services,” she explained.
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“However, having opposing candidates is very healthy as it provides voters with choices,” she added.
Montallana also clarified that unopposed candidates need just a single vote to be officially declared winners.
“Without at least one vote, there would be no basis to declare a winner,” she said.
Records from Comelec show that Samar has the highest number of unopposed candidates led by reelectionist Gov. Sharee Ann Tan and her siblings, Representatives Stephen James Tan and Reynolds Michael Tan.
Nine mayors and 11 vice mayors in the province are also running without opponents. Notable unopposed vice-mayoral candidates include Rex Daguman and Coefredo Uy of Calbayog and Catbalogan cities.
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In Leyte, 12 candidates are unopposed, including incumbent Vice Governor Leonardo Javier, alongside five mayors and seven vice mayors.
In Northern Samar, six mayors and five vice mayors are certain to retain their posts.
Biliran has nine unopposed candidates led by vice-gubernatorial candidate Roselyn Espina as well as four mayors and their respective vice mayors.
Southern Leyte has two mayors and five vice mayors running unopposed while incumbent Vice Gov. Rosa Emilia Mercado is set to retain her position.
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In Eastern Samar, one mayor and two vice mayors are also running without opposition.