Local aspirants for next year’s mid-term elections in Bulacan made the scenario exciting with the switching game by beating the November 29 deadline for substitution of candidates.
Bulacan Provincial Election Officer Mona Aldana Campos of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed that Teddy Natividad, former Malolos City councilor, switched places with Josephine Banawan as gubernatorial candidate of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats while former mayor Enrico Roque substituted for his brother in mayoral post in Pandi town during Thursday’s deadline.
The aspiring councilor will face his half-brother, Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad, and incumbent Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando.
Political analysts said although several have filed their certificates of candidacy for governor, many are considered nuisance candidates for running in past national and local elections.
Before Teddy made his move, it was widely believed that the gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial posts will be a tight contest between the tandem of Natividad — Anjo Mendoza of the PDP–Laban and Fernando — Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado of the National Unity Party.
Analysts speculate that the switch of Teddy and Banawan is a political move to break the votes of his half-brother which gained advantage for Fernando.
Similarly, in Pandi town, former mayor Enrico Roque substituted for his brother former Councilor Ricky Roque, in the mayoral post.
Roque is challenging incumbent Mayor Tinoy Marquez.
“I decided to return and run for mayor to continue the programs I started. The charming town of Pandi when I was the mayor needs to be restored,” Roque said.
Most of the Pandienyos particularly from various sectors are now longing of the programs and activities organized by Roque during his administration.