Eighteen days after Manila Mayor Lito Atienza announced that his second son Arnold, better known as Ali, was his chosen candidate, Hizon called a press conference at the Manila Pavilion yesterday morning and formally announced his interest for the top post in Manila.
Hizon, of the Nationalista Party, recalled that during the last May 2004 elections he beat Ali’s elder brother, Kim, for the congressional seat in the city’s fifth district. Ali declined to comment on Hizon’s candidacy, saying it’s too early to make any statement.
Hizon said they are still completing their lineup for the local elections. As for his running mate, he is still choosing between former Binondo Rep. Harry Ang Ping and Rep. Rudy Bacani. He plans to file his certificate of candidacy on March 28 or 29.
Hizon claimed that he is the only alternative candidate since the other contenders for the mayoralty post have already served at city hall and residents have already judged their capabilities.
Ali heads the Manila Sports Commission and the city government’s Inner-City Development Program. Other mayoralty aspirants are Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna and Senator Alfredo Lim, a former Manila mayor.