Lawmaker seeks Valenzuela’s top post

MANILA, Philippines – Valenzuela Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the city’s top post yesterday afternoon.

Gunigundo, who is on his third and last term as District 2 congressman, vowed to give reelectionist Mayor Rex Gatchalian a “good run for his money.”

He will bare his complete lineup on Friday.

Gatchalian filed his COC on Monday. He was accompanied by his running mate, Councilor Lorrie Natividad; Vice Mayor Eric Martinez, who seeks to represent District 2 in the House of Representatives; his brother Wes Gatchalian, who wants to represent District 1; and Councilor and actress Charee Pineda.

Faced with Gunigundo’s allegation that he is liable in the Kentex fire that claimed the lives of more than 70 people, he said he has answered the issue.

“But I will also ask him to answer why his name is included in the Commission on Audit report pertaining to pork barrel funds used by fake non-governmental organizations, and why his father was indicted at the Sandiganbayan for a graft issue (as the head of) the Presidential Commission on Good Government,” Gatchalian said.