Administration bets duke it out in Malabon congressional race

MANILA, Philippines - Two administration candidates are running against each other in the race to represent the lone district of Malabon City in the House of Representatives.

Mark Allan Jay Yambao, a former city mayor, said in an earlier interview that he is running under the original Kampi party while his rival, Ricky Sandoval, is running under the Lakas party.

Sandoval, however, said he is running under the banner of the administration coalition Lakas-Kampi-CMD and is supporting its standard-bearer, Gilbert Teodoro.

Mayor Canuto “Tito” Oreta who is running for re-election unopposed under the administration coalition, said while he supports Teodoro, he is also endorsing candidates from other political parties “who will help my administration in delivering the basic services to the people.”

Among Oreta’s priority programs are the construction of a four-story hospital and housing for poor residents. He is supporting incumbent Rep. Jaye Lacson Noel (Nacionalist People’s Coalition) and his nephew, Councilor Antolin Oreta (Liberal Party), as vice mayor. The fourth congressional candidate is Arnold Vicencio of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.