Radazas call for reconciliation

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor-elect Paz Radaza yesterday extended the hands of reconciliation to all friends and foes who they had fought with during the campaign, saying that after the election, it is time to let all wounds heal.

Paz, the wife of Mayor Arturo Radaza, who also won as lone congressional representative, said there is great task that lays ahead for all officials and people to buckle down in the track development.

After all the allegations of corruption against the administration of her husband, Mrs. Radaza is ready for reconciliation.

“Nganong dili man (reconciliation). That is for the good of the constituents and the city in general,” Paz said in an interview with The FREEMAN.

Mrs. Radaza garnered 70, 392 votes as against opposition councilor Junard Chan’s 34, 418, Isabelito Darnayla’s 14,168, and Efrain Pelaez’s 10, 168 votes.

The incumbent mayor also defeated opponents Joselito Ruiz and lawyer Eugene Espedido.

The newly-elected local and national officials will start their term on June 30.

It’s a first in the political history of Lapu-Lapu that a lady mayor got elected.

“It’s a historic moment here in Lapu-Lapu City,” Mrs. Radaza said.

In yesterday’s press conference, Pelaez said he has nothing against the Radazas.

Pelaez has conceded saying that “we are just fighting for our cause. We are defeated by logistic, money, power, and the use of the incumbency.”

Pelaez, however, is not yet certain whether he will seek a position in 2013. He said he is focused on continuing his advocacy of cleaning up graft and corruption in government.

With the new administration, Pelaez is hoping that the cases he filed in the Ombudsman will be acted upon and resolve the graft cases against Mayor Radaza.

Pelaez said that for more than three years he has been waiting for the resolution of all graft cases he had filed against the Radazas.   (FREEMAN NEWS)