IF ELECTED MAYOR: Pelaez promises to end corruption

CEBU, Philippines - Liberal Party (LP) mayoralty candidate in Lapu-Lapu City Efrain Pelaez Jr. yesterday said he has spent only over a million pesos in his campaign unlike his rivals who have already poured millions.

“I don’t have money. I don’t use government resources for my campaign. We are not buying votes. My friends also help but they are not shakedown amounts,” Pelaez told editors of The FREEMAN yesterday.

He said the money he spends comes from his own pockets and from some friends although financial help from his party has been guaranteed.

Asked if he will protect his business interests if he won as mayor of the city, Pelaez said that in a way, he will benefit from his victory since he will be bringing in investors.

“Of course, my businesses will prosper. I think that would be my reward but I will not steal. And I will not ask for a piece of property from a subdivision owner,” Pelaez added.

And why do people gravitate toward him? “Dili ko lisod duolon. Bisan kinsa makaduol nako,” Pelaez said.

Pelaez, who will be turning 61 in July, said he is the best among the mayoralty candidates because he has the experience and can change the city into a little Singapore.

“I’m the real opposition and I’m educated enough. I have the experience to really change Mactan. I am really the one who can change it,” Pelaez said.

At the LP’s proclamation rally last Saturday at Marina Mall, which Pelaez owns, more than 5,000 supporters attended.

Also in attendance were former Chief Justice and United Nations Ambassador Hilario Davide Jr., and the LP-KKK complete slate which included Liberal Party gubernatorial candidate Hilario Davide III and congressional aspirant Eugene Espedido.

Pelaez said he would fight corruption.

He said he has filed a complaint for graft in the Ombudsman’s Office against incumbent Mayor Arturo Radaza and other city hall officials regarding purchases of computers that were allegedly overpriced.

But the progress of the case has been slow.

A charge, which impleaded the people behind Kein Enterprises, is widely believed to have spawned the Lapu-Lapu City government’s bid to close down his businesses – the Marina Mall, Southgate Mall, and Coralpoint Development Inc. for lack of permits.

Pelaez, who also heads the Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the business community is doing its part in fighting corruption.

“Gusto mo og kausaban ari nata sa KKK Liberal Party,” Pelaez said.

Pelaez is running up against two political bigwigs – Mayor Arturo Radaza and opposition Councilor Junard Chan of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD and Nationalista Party, respectively. (FREEMAN NEWS)