Tricycle driver, home economics graduate among presidential hopefuls

By ROSE-AN JESSICA DIOQUINO, GMA News

Published October 12, 2015 1:52pm

(Updated 3:51 p.m.) Various personalities, from well-known politicians to a tricycle driver, filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) main office in Intramuros, Manila on Monday.

As of 3 p.m., a total of 19 presidential aspirants have filed their COCs, carrying with them the motherhood promise to help the country beat the odds it faces.

Among them is 38-year-old Sel Hope Kang, the lone female aspirant so far, who got emotional when she took the podium and stood before members of the media.

Sel Hope Kang, 1st female aspirant to file COC for president. pic.twitter.com/nqNbjp97Yg
— R-A. Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) October 12, 2015

Sporting a purple shirt and jeans, carrying a plastic sando bag containing her snacks, Kang got teary-eyed as she said, "Sana po ay bigyan ninyo ako ng pagkakataong makatulong sa bawat isa sa atin. Ito po ay pagkakataon lamang. Hinihingi namin ang inyong suporta na sana ay gawin natin ito para sa ating Inang Bayan."

Tricycle driver Eddie Llamas shows a copy of his certificate of candidacy after filing at the Commission on Elections in Manila on Monday, October 12. Llamas, who wants to run for president, said he will change the lives of every tricycle driver in the country once elected. Danny Pata

Near-tears, she added, "Bawat Filipino ay dapat magkaroon ng mas higit pa sa kung anong meron tayo ngayon."

Kang said she is but an ordinary citizen, a home economics graduate of the University of the Philippines who spent the last few years taking care of her mother.

Her mood lightened up as members of the media asked her to pose for a photo, calling them her "friends," and asking them, "Tulungan niyo ako, ha?"

Tricycle driver

Another presidential aspirant is 34-year-old Freddiesher "Eddie" Llamas of Iba, Zambales, who is aiming for the a job of a lifetime.

Llamas said he is a tricycle driver and if he wins in the presidential election, he will change the lives of all tricycle drivers in the country.

Llamas also promised to close beer houses.

Kang and Llamas are both under 40 years old, the age requirement for presidential aspirants.

Sea disputes

Other presidential aspirants during Monday morning's filing include Vice President Jejomar Binay and ex-Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco Jr.

Another familiar face was Elly Pamatong, who is trying his luck again for 2016.

Pamatong said he did not initially intend to run, but was pushed by the lack of action from other candidates regarding disputed territories.

He was declared a nuisance candidate when he ran for president in 2004, but this did not deter him from running again for president in 2010.

Gerald Arcega, who called himself Sultan Muhammad Issa said he will solve the country's dispute with China.

He said he is running for office out of love for country.

"Kailangan na po nating burahin sa isipan nating lahat na mayayaman lang ang may karapatang tumakbo," he said, adding that he has no senatorial lineup because he is pushing for a sultanate as government.

Former Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG) chairman Camilo Sabio also filed his COC for president.

Slow in walking after having suffered a stroke, Sabio assured that he can still pull off a nationwide campaign despite his condition.

Half-Russian Ralph Masloff told reporters at the Comelec that he is a natural-born citizen.

Also among those who filed their COCs for president was Pastor Eric A. Negapatan. —KG/ALG, GMA News

Tags: eleksyon2016, selhopekang