For now, 17 candidates for punong barangay in Baguio City are assured of the seats they are eyeing as they have no challengers in the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
The unopposed candidates for punong barangay are Jefferson Cheng of Azcko, Randy Gati of Ambiong, Jessie Palis of Bakakeng Norte, Antonio Cortes of Bayan Park, and Jeanette Floresca of Camdas Subdivision.
Also running unopposed are Ariel del Monte of DPS; Orlando Basongit of Gabriela Silang; Murphy Maspil, Sr. of Holyghost Proper; Lucia Dolteo of Imelda Marcos; and Nerissa Bayan of Kayang Extension.
The other unopposed candidates are Prescilla Dacanay of Upper Magsaysay, Ricardo Rodriguez of Padre Burgos, Dinah Campos of Upper Quezon Hill, Van Dicang of Lower Quirino Hill, Joey David of Upper Rock Quarry, Nicanor Nialla of San Antonio Village, and Ernesto Amon of San Roque Village.
The number of unopposed candidates for punong barangay is based on the initial list furnished to journalists by the Commission on Elections-Baguio. The list is still subject to changes.
Also, based on the list of aspirants as of Sept. 2, there are 2,173 candidates for the barangay posts of which 320 are running for punong barangay and 1,853 are eyeing seats in the seven-member council.
Of the 320 candidates for punong barangay, 231 are male and 89 are female while for the council, 1,032 are male and 821 are female.
While posts for the barangays have considerable number of candidates, the number of youths who filed for the elective positions only reached 621, of which 213 are eyeing to become chairpersons and 408 are running to fill the seven-member council.
More females are running for the youth posts than the males. Of the 213 candidates for SK chairpersons, 110 are female and 103 are male and for the council, 233 out of the 408 candidates are females while 175 are males.
There are 16 barangays in Baguio City that have no candidates for SK chairperson and council members. – Jane B. Cadalig
