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The Province of Cebu joins the rest of the Philippines as they prepare for the Synchronized National and Local Elections as per RA 7166 Sec. 2 slated for May 10, 2010. This will be the country’s first ever fully-automated nationwide elections.

Cebu’s political scene may not be as macabre as in other provinces or cities, but it sure is as byzantine as any arena where power is up for grabs. The long-standing squabbles and the repulsive tongue-lashing between incumbent Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia are just sneak peeks to the larger power struggle between two of Cebu’s most prominent political families — the Osmeñas v. the Garcias.

As for the province of Cebu, COMELEC has identified Lapu-lapu City, Toledo City and the towns of Daan Bantayan and Madridejos as “areas of concern” based on its initial assessment.

According to an article published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on December 3, 2009, a total of 13 candidates are running for mayor and 13 for vice mayor in Cebu City.  Among those mayoralty candidates who have filed their certificates of candidacy with the Commission on Elections-Cebu are Vice Mayor Michael Rama, John Henry Osmeña, Georgia Osmeña, Samuel Darza, Landelino Bontilao, Crisologo Saavedra, Ricci Ranili, Rodolfo Laconza, Cristituto Abangan, Salvador Solima, Anastacio dela Cruz and Fermiliano Dapitan.

Four personalities have filed their COCs for the gubernatorial slot. Rafael Jun Cesar Ajoc runs as an independent candidate, Godofredo Rojas Berizo runs under the PGRP camp, Hilario Davide III carries the flag of the Liberal Party, and the current governor Gwen Garcia seeks re-election under the LKCMD Party.

Glenn Anthony Soco is Gov. Garcia’s running mate while Eladia Balicoco is PGRP’s representative for the vice-gubernatorial race.  Gregorio Sanchez Jr., currently serving as Cebu’s vice governor, is the running mate of the Liberal Party’s standard bearer.

COMELEC has disclosed that it would announce the official list of candidates by the end of December 2009, prior to launching the poll automation process in January 2010.