5-way mayoral clash looms in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines - Two more mayoralty hopefuls filed their certificates of candidacy in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday, bringing the total number of candidates there to four.

Engineer Rolando Patalinjug, former chief of the engineering division of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in the city, was first to arrive at the Commission on Elections office at 9 a.m. to file his candidacy.

He was joined by his running mate Rufo Amores III and Lapu-Lapu City congressional district candidate Doctor Celedonio Sitoy. They are running under the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban and together, they call themselves the Team Kusgano Movement for Better Lapu-Lapu.

Also present were aspiring city councilors Ferdinand Dungog, Celestino Aying, Jesus Vicente dela Cerna, Rufo Bering, Francisco Gilig Jr., Maria Fe Imbong, Alex Dave Godornes, Cesario Silawan, Ernesto Tumulak and Carlito Sabalones.

Patalinjug, who recently resigned from work to give way for his political aim, told reporters his candidacy rests on the platform of establishing more infrastructure projects in the city.

He said if he was able to “develop PEZA” during his stint, then he can do the same for Lapu-Lapu.

"Dako akong role sa development sa PEZA and there's no reason nga dili nako ma-develop ang city," he said.

Sitoy, for his part, said one of his plans is to unify Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova town into one province and to push for the conversion of Olango Island into a whole new town.

"Pareho og problema sa kalsada, sa tubig, electricity, panglawas...atong usahon sa pagpangita’g solusyon maong mitanyag ko sa akong pagtuo nga makatabang ko ani," Sitoy said.

At around 9:30 p.m., former Punta Engaño barangay captain Angel Rodriguez and his slate arrived at the Comelec office but had to wait outside the City Hall as the camp of Patalinjug finished up with the signing.

Rodriguez is the United Nationalist Alliance’s standard bearer in Lapu-Lapu City. His vice mayoral candidate is the neophyte Edward Tojong while their congressional candidate is Concordio Austero, an urban poor leader.

Completing the Team Angel lineup are councilor wannabes Edward Tan, Felix Lapera, Noel Ilustrisimo, Junbert Guigayuma, Avilina Amorin, John Norman Codilla, Ellomer Riveral, Elena Destajo, Rogelio Gala, Jonas Lagroma, Silverio Galo and Nelson Gabayan.

Rodriguez said he will prioritize the urban poor and senior citizens if given the mandate to lead the city.

This as he believes the previous and current administrations have not been able to give enough attention to the needs of the elderly and other vulnerable sectors of society.

"We plan to find remedy that has not been done by previous administrations. Our first project would be a permanent relocation site in every barangay," he said.

Last Wednesday, Prospero Imbong Cabahug also tendered his bid as an independent mayoralty contender, with Kuditah Victoria Cabahug as vice mayoral candidate and Prospero Victorino Cabahug as congressional candidate. Their aspiring councilors include Bobbie Cuenca and Joffre Alfredo Cabahug.

Mayor Paz Radaza, who is Liberal Party’s standard bearer in Lapu-Lapu City, already tendered her bid for reelection also on Wednesday.

On the last day of filing today, businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr. is expected to also formally ink his candidacy for mayor, making it a five-cornered fight to Lapu-Lapu City mayorship in 2016. (FREEMAN)