Former Talisay VM to run in 2013 polls

CEBU, Philippines - Former Talisay City Vice Mayor Lani Abarquez, who resigned in 2009, will reportedly come back to run in the 2013 elections.

Councilor Romeo Villarante, the former vice mayor’s brother-in-law, said there is a “big chance” Abarquez will become the Liberal Party’s vice mayoral bet next year.

“There’s a fat chance or should I say there’s a 60-percent chance that she’ll come back,” he said, adding that Abarquez, in her visit last January, met up with her party-mates to discuss politics.

Abarquez, then leader of the opposition, resigned in January 2009 to live with her husband in Australia.

Villarante said there is also a chance that she will become their standard bearer if Antonio Mariano “Mimo” Osmeña, who is now being groomed as the LP’s mayoralty candidate in Talisay, will back out.

“If Mimo backs out, then Lani will be the mayor,” he said.

The opposition councilor revealed that Abarquez has already a guaranteed financial support from local personalities.

Abarquez’s contract with Victoria University where she is an administrative officer will end this December.

She was here in January for a vacation.

Meanwhile, Villarante said they already have a long list of other local candidates.

So far, the opposition line-up in Talisay are Villarante, incumbent councilors Danny Caballero and Val Ylanan, and

businessman Johnny V. delos Reyes.

He said by the end of April this year, they may announce their official candidates.  (FREEMAN)