On 5th day of COC, CONA filing: Gimmicks get more lively, creative

MANILA, Philippines — On Saturday, the fifth day of filing certificates of candidacy (COCs) and certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONAs), supporters showcased their creative tactics to rally behind election aspirants

As early as 8 a.m., supporters of Kabataan, TGP, Kaunlad Pinoy, and Mamamayang Liberal party-lists gathered outside the Manila Hotel, the Commission on Elections’ official venue for the COC and CONA filing.

All three party-lists took to the streets as they mobilized, each chanting their support for their respective factions.

Once they arrived, each party-list performed their own unique gimmicks to show support for their nominees for a Congressional seat.

Kabataan, which represents the youth sector, showcased their creativity by starting their program with a “fashion show,” even joined by their nominees Renee Co, Jose Paolo Chavez, and Peter Angelo Garcia.

Members initially presented their looks covered in trash bags, symbolizing various societal issues, particularly the failures of the government to address the increasing price of commodities and ongoing international disputes, among others.

They then dramatically removed their trash bag garments, revealing their more fashionable outfits — this time, representing the party-list’s 10-point agenda in addressing various socio-economic issues.

Apart from the fashion segment, the party-list also performed its own rendition of BINI’s “Salamin, Salamin.”

The party-list swapped part of the song’s lyrics to reflect their frustration with the current state of the government.

“Ayokong umasa, ‘di maniniwala sa Bagong Pilipinas, oh ang galit ko’y walang mapag-lagiyan,” was the Kabataan’s version of the song’s pre-chorus.

(I don’t want to hope; I won’t believe in the New Philippines, and my anger has nowhere to go.)

“Salarin, salarin sinungaling, sa’n ang pera namin? Salarin, salarin, kailan ba kayo kakarmahin?” they sang.

(Thief, lying thief, where is our money? Thief, thief, when will you get your karma?)

Meanwhile, for Kaunlad Pinoy, the supporters brought their festive energy to Manila Hotel, making the event seem like a celebration as several supporters danced to the tune of drums as they awaited their nominees in filing their CONA.

The party-list also escorted their nominees to the venue, even bringing a kalesa (carriage) with them.

The TGP party-list also matched their energies, loudly chanting their support for their nominees as they headed to the hotel to file their CONA.

The same goes for Mamamayang Liberal who chanted their support for their nominees, including former Senator Leila de Lima.

When De Lima and her co-nominees former Reps. Teddy Baguilat and Erin Tañada arrived, the crowd erupted in joyous uproar, each member crying out their support for the three.

But after a while, the loud energy came to a halt, as the party-list led a pray-over for their nominees.

Based on the Omnibus Election Code, an aspirant must file a COC or CONA within a specific period set by Comelec.

For this year, the period set for the COC filing is from October 1 to 8.

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