Reyes backs out of race for Taguig mayor

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes formally announced yesterday that he would no longer seek an electoral post in 2010 and decided “to stay at the (DOE) to continue to make a difference.”

“I’ve gone through a lot of discernment and soul- searching. And trying to find out where I could… perhaps make a difference… And I have decided that I will stay at DOE,” Reyes told a press conference at the launch of the National Energy Consciousness Month.

A few months back, there had been talks that Reyes might run for mayor in Taguig City.

He said he would be more useful as DOE chief.

“It’s a difficult job. It’s almost a no-win situation all the time. It’s a job that is hazardous to one’s health, but it’s a job that must be done, and someone’s got to do it,” he said.

He believes his job as DOE chief is far more challenging than any mayoralty post.

“The challenge of going to local politics, like being mayor of Taguig, is an attractive proposition also. There’s a lot of things to do there. There’s a lot of things that are wrong there, that must be corrected, like corruption, drugs,” he said.

Cayetano, Tiñga to vie for post

District 1 Rep. Maria Laarni Cayetano, wife of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, and former justice Dante Tiñga filed their COCs for Taguig mayor yesterday.

Cayetano, who is running under the Nacionalista Party, will have businessman Ferdinand Santos as her vice mayoralty bet.

Her bets for councilors are Darwin Icay, Ricardo Cruz Jr., Eduardo Cruz, Henry Vega, Aurelio Padilla, Dr. Jinky Sarmiento, Generoso Ignacio and Emmanuel Victoria for District 1; and Hareem Pautin, Wilfredo Dubria, Janine Dabu Bustos, Queen Dolly Carreon, Ruth Anne Fronda, Vilma Antigo, Noel Dizon, and Guido Malco for District 2.

Tiñga will run under the Kilusang Diwa ng Taguig Party and his running mate will be George Elias Jr.

Their candidates for Congress are Arnel Cerafica for District 1 and incumbent Mayor Sigfrido Tiñga Jr. for District 2.

Tiñga’s bets for councilors are Gamaliel San Pedro, Baltazar Mariategue, Ronnette Franco, Jaime Labampa, Baby Gloria de Mesa, Carlito Ogalinola, Roderick Papa and Rodil Marcelino for District 1; and Edwin Eron, Milagros Valencia, Jeffrey Morales, Ricardo Jordan, Aurelio Paulo Bartolome, Michelle Anne Gonzales, Erwin Manalili and Estela Gasgonia for District 2. – Donnabelle Gatdula, Rhodina Villanueva