LP eyes Yapha as 3rd Dist. Rep

CEBU, Philippines - The Liberal Party is eyeing Pinamungajan Mayor Geraldine Yapha to be its congressional bet for the third district of the Province of Cebu.

Geraldine, in an interview over Bantay Radyo, said it was her father, former congressman Antonio Yapha Jr., who told her about LP’s plan.

Geraldine is a doctor by profession. Her mother is former Provincial Board (PB) member Estrella Yapha, also a doctor.

 She is on her second term as mayor of Pinamungajan and is still qualified to seek reelection.

“If I have my way, I would rather finish my term because I still have a lot of projects for Pinamungajan,” she said.

But she pointed out that in politics, there are a lot of options, which even include sacrificing her profession.

“I want to serve my town or district the best way I can. It would depend on the party’s decision,” the mayor added.

Geraldine may face PB Member Alex Binghay if the latter will be fielded by One Cebu Party as its bet for Cebu’s third district.

But One Cebu is yet to decide who will run for Congress to replace Rep. Pablo John Garcia who is running for governor next year.

LP is set to announce their provincial slate next month following its coalition with Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) party of the fifth district.

 “After that, probably, we will have our final congressional candidate for third district,” Geraldine said.

For Geraldine, her father is the most qualified to run for the position having served the district for nine years.

But Antonio is reportedly running in tandem with former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, who is planning to run for mayor of Toledo City.

Pending the final decision, Geraldine said if she gets elected as congresswoman, she plans to hold the committee on health and push for the strengthening of rural health centers.

“We don’t need to travel to the city because travel time alone already poses danger to the patients especially those from far towns,” she said.

She will fight to get bigger budget for basic services most needed by the people and she intends to do more than what his father has done. — (FREEMAN)