Three-cornered fight for Cordova top post

CEBU, Philippines –  It’s a three-cornered fight for the mayoralty post in the municipality of Cordova after a young corporate executive has joined the political derby to challenge the Sitoy siblings who are vying for the position.

Paul Villaber, 23, filed his certificate of candidacy last Friday afternoon with his running mate, former councilor Edwina Premacio, under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.

 “Unta makahatag unta ko sa ako’ng contribution nga moasenso ang usa ka munisipyo nga akong nakit-an na na-deprive og opportunity, mura’g dili ma-tap niya ang mga potentials ba, great honor for me to be part of future history of this municipality,” Villaber said.

Villaber said this is also to give the residents of Cordova a new choice aside from Provincial Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy and his half-sister, Vice Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho, who are running against each other in the 2016 elections.

 In his COC, Villaber stated that he is a resident of Plaza Street Zone 3, Poblacion, Cordova up to the day before the May 9, 2016 elections.

Villaber is running under the political platform of sustainable growth and empowerment of the people of Cordova.

“I will set the impetus of appropriate programs that will underpin the acceleration of economic growth through the years. I will strategically tap and utilize the potentials of the municipality with the help of empowered people. For that matter, as mayor, I will assure that each people of Cordova are afforded with maximum availability of basic needs and promising opportunities to prepare them for the overarching future of Cordova – City of Cordova,” he said.

 Villaber is the son of businessman Pablo Villaber, president and chief executive officer of Malayan Integrated Industries Corporation (MIIC), the original proponent of the Cordova Reclamation and Development Project (CRDP) that was blocked by the Sitoys in favor of SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SPMHI).

 Pablo is hoping the project would push through when his son gets elected as mayor. Pablo is also running for congressman in Davao del Sur.

 The CRDP is subject of the previous joint venture contracts, agreements and undertaking with the municipality of Cordova by the former mayor Celedonio Sitoy since 1977.

 Pablo claimed the project has been approved by the Public Estate Authority and the Office of the President during the time of former president Fidel Ramos.  —/FPL (FREEMAN)