Ex-San Fernando mayor preparing for 2013 polls

CEBU, Philippines - After declaring her intention to run again in the coming 2013 elections, former San Fernando Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya said she is already preparing for it to ensure her victory.

Reluya said she understands that the Canoys, who are currently occupying the town’s top posts, are a force to reckon with, hence she needs to prepare this early.

The former mayor said that like in past elections, she will still be running under the banner of first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas’s Alayon Party.

Rumors had it that the opposition will be fielding incumbent Vice Mayor Miko Canoy, son of Mayor Antonio, as its mayoralty candidate while Antonio himself will be running for Congress under the Liberal Party.           Despite the opposition’s resources being the incumbents, Reluya said she still believes she still has the support of her constituents, noting the barely 1,000 votes that Antonio won over her during the last May 10, 2010 election.

She also insisted that these votes are “questionable.”

Currently, the election protest filed by Reluya before the court is still being heard.

Reluya said having four party-mates in the town council is also a big factor for her election next year.

Councilors Noel Tatoy, Rudy Taping, Benny Panuncial, and Ramy Sasuman are also of Alayon, and of the 21 barangays of San Fernando, Reluya said six of these are still loyal to her.

Reluya was elected as the first lady mayor of San Fernando in 2007.