COC FILER. Talisay City Mayor Anthony Gerald Gullas was the first political aspirant in Cebu province to file his certificate of candidacy at the Comelec-Provincial Office in Cebu City on Friday (Oct. 1, 2021). The filing of COCs for the May 9, 2022 elections will end on Oct. 8, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Rhea Aquino Gullas) CEBU CITY - The mayor of the southern city of Talisay was the first among the aspirants in next year's elections to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) in Cebu province as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) opened Friday the week-long (October 1-8) COC filing period. The three offices of the Comelec here - at the Capitol compound, Cebu City South and Cebu City North - ensured observance of strict health and safety protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) among their personnel and those filing their COCs. Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. filed his COC for congressman of Cebu province's 1st District at the provincial office of the Comelec. When asked by reporters why he did not seek reelection, Gullas said his decision to go back to the House of Representatives was a product of discussion with his grandfather, incumbent 1st District Rep. Eduardo Gullas, who he seeks to replace. The younger Gullas said his grandfather, who mentored him on politics, has considered bowing out of public service after 50 years, serving as congressman, mayor of Talisay City and governor of the province. Gullas was accompanied by his wife Rhea, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, and the mayors of Sibonga, Carcar City, San Fernando, Naga City and Minglanilla, as well as the two board members of his district - Yolly Daan and Raul Bacaltos. Garcia told the media here that Gullas decided to be the first to file his COC considering that he is the appointed secretary general of the One Cebu party, the ruling political party in the province. "Because he is the secretary general of the One Cebu party, he files ahead. Most of the work (of the party) is on the secretary general, that's the reason why he decided he has to file ahead so that he can focus on the party matters," she said. The governor went to the provincial office of the Comelec, but said she will file her COC next week. Meanwhile, a newbie in the political arena in Cebu City, Gian Aznar, filed his COC for councilor in the north district. Aznar said his decision to be the "early worm" in the Comelec-Cebu City North office came after five months of consultation with his leaders in the north district barangays. He is running under the Promdi (Probinsya Muna Development Initiative) party. Aznar, a scion of a family of politicians and educators in Cebu, commended the Comelec-Cebu City North office, for their efficient processing of his COC, saying that it took him only five to seven minutes to finish the process. "Everything went smoothly, although there were minor glitches," Aznar said. Lawyer Chauncey Boholst, Cebu City North's election officer, said in a radio interview that it would be better for aspirants to inform the district offices first before they go there to file their COC so that they would be able to ensure the imposition of safety measures against Covid-19. (PNA) }