Don’t look now but three new faces, considered as prominent stalwarts in their own right, are among the new candidates in the race for different positions in the 2013 mid-term elections. The three substituted for as many bets of reasons only known to those concerned. As subject of a guessing game after he failed in his gubernatorial bid, former vice governor Julius Caesar Herrera resurfaced Friday, to file his candidacy as Calape mayor. He replaced Benjamin Cuadrasal, barangay captain of Lomboy, Calape town. Herrera’s running mate is candidate Andy Ruizol, former vice mayor. The former vice governor was able to beat the Commission on Elections deadline that set December 21, as last day for substitution of a candidate, who has withdrawn on or before that date. Herrera’s name will then be included in the listing of candidates in the official ballots for the May 13, 2013 elections. He was a two-term Calape mayor before becoming the vice governor for three terms.

However, a substitution is still allowed up to mid-day of election day for a candidate who died or is disqualified by final judgment; provided that the substitute and the substituted have the same surnames. Prominent members of political families were also among those who joined the last minute substitutes of candidates who withdraw. In Loon, Elvie Relampagos, the brother of first district congressman Rene Relampagos, filed his candidacy as substitute candidate for the position of municipal vice mayor. He substituted withdrawn candidate Ignacio Castel. In Balilihan, Pureza Veloso Chatto, the wife of Governor Edgar Chatto also filed as substitute-candidate for the position of municipal vice mayor. She substituted withdrawn candidate Marianne Domivee Chatto.

In Carmen town, Francisco Delos Reyes withdrew as candidate for mayor, while two of his townmates Antedio Chatto and Alejandro Lomod, also withdrew their candidacies as provincial board members. The two are incumbent barangay chairmen of Nueva Fuerza and Villarcaryo, respectively, in the same town. No candidates for governor, vice governor and congressmen withdrew their candidacies up to the last minute of the Friday, Dec 21, deadline. Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections announced that it will no longer allow substitution of candidates who decide to back out from the 2013 midterm elections after the deadline set by the election body expired on Friday. Comelec chair Sixto Brilliantes said that the election body would only accept substitutions if a candidate either dies or has been disqualified to participate in the balloting. “A candidate can still withdraw after the Dec. 21 deadline but there will be no more substitution,” Brilliantes clarified.