Jonas not running unopposed

 CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes will not be seeking reelection unopposed after all. 

This after former city councilor Victor Biaño filed his Certificate of Candidacy for Mandaue City mayor before the Commission on Elections office closed yesterday.

Biaño’s slate is composed of Benjamin Luage for Vice Mayor and councilorial bets Edgar Cortes, Marvin Bragat, Rannie Go and Jesbic Coca.

Biaño said he decided to run for mayor after he found out that nobody dared to run against Cortes.  He said that democracy is better felt if the people have something to choose.

Before filing their certificates, the present city council who are all allied under the administration of Cortes heard Mass at the National Shrine of St. Joseph.  Then Cortes’ Kaabag Team walked to the Comelec office located behind the Mandaue City Sports Complex.

Around a thousand supporters joined them on their way to the Comelec office wherein their COCs were accepted by Comelec registrar Anna Fleur Gujilde.

Cortes’ slate is composed of incumbent city councilors Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano, Editha Cabahug, Jimmy Lumapas, Beethoven Andaya, Diosdado Suico, Demetrio “Jun”Cortes, Elstone Dabon and Benjamin Basiga.  Another city councilor allied with Cortes, Nenita Layese, earlier filed her COC last Tuesday before leaving for Rome.

Lapu-Lapu City

In Lapu-Lapu City, the only daughter of Rep. Arturo Radaza and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza will vie for a congressional seat after the congressman cited his poor health as a reason for not pursuing reelection.

Rep. Radaza yesterday introduced his heir as Aileen Corro Radaza, 28.

Aileen is a Project Management graduate of the Berkeley University in California, USA, and a Business Management graduate of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.  She is also a barangay councilwoman of Mactan.

Aileen filed her COC around 2:30 p.m. yesterday with her mother who is seeking reelection under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

Aileen is hopeful that whatever support that her parents received from their constituents will also be the same support that she will get during the election.  She added she will prioritize the projects started by her father, one of these being the circumferential road of Lapu-Lapu City.

Aileen will be facing the former barangay captain of Punta Engaño, Angel Rodriguez.

Her mother Paz will be running against businessman Efrain Pelaez of the Liberal Party and businesswoman Karina Viriginia Perpetua Cabahug.

Other bets

As an independent candidate for congressman in the fifth district, detained Gilbert Wagas also filed his COC through “lady friend” Maria Rosella Avellaneda by virtue of special power of attorney.

Also filing their certificates yesterday for PB were Dumanjug Vice Mayor Christopher Baricuatro for the second district, PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy and Thadeo Ouano for the sixth district and Rhafael Luche for the fourth district.

Former sixth district Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz filed her COC for the same position.

Reelectionist Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco was challenged by a barangay captain and another town resident in next year’s election.

Catarman barangay captain Jimmy Maglasang filed his certificate of candidacy for mayor under Bakud–Liberal Party while a resident of Barangay Jubay named Benito Sarmiento also filed to run for mayor as independent.

Maglasang was accompanied by Rep. Ramon Red Durano VI and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale when he filed his COC.  He picked last-termer councilor Adrian Pilones as his running mate.  (FREEMAN)