Martinezes dared to run again in the next polls

Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon dared the Martinezes of Bogo City to run against him and his brother in the 2010 elections.

“Mas maayo nga si Junie gyud ang modagan pagka kongresista unya si Clavel mudagan  pagka mayor kay akoa sad hangyoon akong igsion nga si Cesar modagan kontra niya,” Salimbangon said, referring to Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. and his wife Clavel.

Junie is an undefeated former congressman of the fourth district and currently the Bogo City mayor who replaced his son, former mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, whom Salimbangon defeated in the May 2007 elections.

Clavel Asas-Martinez is also a former congresswoman of the district. She ran for vice governor in the last elections but was defeated by Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr.

Cesar, on the other hand, is the older brother of Benhur and there are now talks that he will run as Bogo City mayor against any of the Martinezes.

The Martinezes have lodged an election protest against Benhur which is now pending before the House Electoral Tribunal. They insist Tining won against Benhur.

“Hapit na man gyud ang election, na hala palansara sila,” Benhur, a former Cebu Provincial Board member, said.

Junie was not available for comment yesterday. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP