Lone bet for Talisay mayor? Soc, party mates file CoCs

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City incumbent mayor and reelectionist Mayor Socrates Fernandez may run next year unopposed. This after his rumored rival acting Vice Mayor Alan Bucao has now become his running mate.

Fernandez and Bucao together with their councilors yesterday formally filed their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections.

Bucao said he has never been “purely” an opposition councilor, as his role in the council for the last six years as a councilor was not to block whatever measures the majority, which is composed of the administration councilors, wants passed.

“I don’t consider myself as opposition, but a member of the conscience group sa council. As once moingon ka opposition, kanang magsige lang og oppose,” he explained.

Bucao, who is on his second term, had been associated with the opposition group. In the 2007 elections, he ran under the party of mayoralty candidate Gabby Leyson, where he was elected as the number one and the only councilor to be elected from his group. In January this year, however, he took the post of his fellow partymate Lani Abarquez, after she went to Australia to get married.

Bucao said that although he was a part of the other camp, he has always linked himself to 1st district Rep Eduardo Gullas, leader of the Alayon Party that is supporting the administration bloc.

“Before I made this decision I consulted the group. I called for today that we unite, that’s what our goal now: Lasting effect for unification kay wa may makuha og sige og tagawtaw,” he said.

Bucao said that for the almost one year that he has been acting vice mayor of Talisay, Fernandez and the rest of the council members have been supportive of his plans.

 “So why rock the boat?” he said.

“If you’re a Talisaynon, your concern is for the development of Talisay. Right now, we have a common vision for this city, so we came up with one group, kay pareho man mi og vision. And I just hope this would trigger good government,” he continued.

There are so far nine councilors under the administration ticket: incumbent city councilors Rodi Cabigas, Edward Alesna, Bernard Odilao, Ronnie Capala and Dennis Basillote. Association of Barangay Councils president Osmundo Manreal Jr., Poblacion first Councilman Choi Aznar, Candulawan barangay chief Josefina Concial and Linao first councilman Val Ylanan. — Liv G. Campo/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)