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A businessman, who exposed the lamppost scandal and the Cebu International Convention Center, and an incumbent councilor were among early filers of certificates of candidacies (COC).
Crisologo Saavedra filed his COC as an independent candidate for mayor in Cebu City 10 minutes before lunchtime.
Incumbent Councilor Jimmy Lumapas filed his COC a week ahead of administration allies in Mandaue City.
As of 5 p.m., no candidate from either the administration or the opposition filed their candidacies in Lapu-Lapu City.
In filing his candidacy, Saavedra said he was unafraid to run against Vice Mayor Michael Rama, standard bearer of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK), as well as former senator John ?Sonny? Osmeña and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña's sister Georgia.
Saavedra said he will tap the BO-PK machinery to advance his candidacy, arguing that he protected the city government from attacks by the province.
He said he didn't support Rama since he believed the vice mayor won't win.
?I'm not with the BO-PK, but our programs are in the same direction. The mayor is committed to Rama and I would not like to embarrass him, but if Mike Rama will not win, I'll be there to save the situation.?
Saavedra said he wanted to counter the belief that early birds were nuisance candidates. He wanted to show he was serious in his bid.
He said his campaign would focus on his fight against corruption in government.
When asked whether he would consider lining up candidates for councilors, Saavedra initially declined to elaborate.
Saavedra figured prominently in the lamppost overpricing scandal that implicated several Metro Cebu and public works officials and filed charges against the Capitol for alleged irregularities in the CICC construction.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer Marchel Sarno advised Saavedra not to engage in premature campaigning lest he be charged with disqualification.
He said those who filed their COCs can be interviewed so long as it doesn't promote his or her candidacy.
Lumapas said he filed his COC yesterday because he would visit his family in the US from Nov. 23 to Dec. 10.
While he had yet to secure his nomination from Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Lumapas said he would back the mayor.
His nomination will be submitted to the Comelec at a later date after the Cortes administration holds its convention on Nov. 28 and 29.
In a separate interview, former Mandaue City Councilor Elmer Cabahug said he had not yet decided which among the three factions in Mandaue City he will affiliate with.
The former PBA star said Cortes and Cebu 6th district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz were both his relatives. Soon-Ruiz will challenge the mayor in 2010. .
In Lapu-Lapu City, the three major political camps had yet to set a date for filing their COCs.
The administration of Mayor Arturo Radaza along with the opposition are kept busy with the city fiesta celebration.
Comelec provincial supervisor Lionel Castillano said they expect most candidates to file their candidacies at the 11th hour.
Those running for governor, vice governor, provincial board member and Congress should file in the province, he said.
Police said the first day of the filing of candidacies in Cebu was generally peaceful. Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., Cebu City police chief, said mobile patrol groups (MPGs) are on standby at the city Comelec office to ensure order. With reports from Correspondents Ardie B. Ermac, Jucell Marie P. Cuyos and Fe Marie Dumaboc
