Fernando back in political arena

MANILA, Philippines - Former Marikina mayor and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Bayani Fernando is back in the political arena.

Fernando filed his certificate of candidacy for Congressman of the first district of Marikina through a representatative at the National Capital Region of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila last Friday.

He will be running under the banner of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Fernando will vie for the post that will be vacated by Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (NPC), who will challenge incumbent Mayor Del de Guzman of the Liberal Party (LP).

Fernando will be up against Councilor Sam Ferriol of the LP.

In the vice mayoral race, it would be a return bout between incumbent Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Andres and former vice mayor Marion Andres.

Fernando lay low after his loss in the vice presidential race in 2010.

His close associates claimed that once elected, Fernando “plans to initiate legislative reforms that the city of Marikina needs” in the halls of Congress. 

De Guzman, who is on his third and final term as city mayor, reportedly had a “falling out” with Fernando after the latter sought the mayoral post left by Fernando’s wife, former mayor Marides Fernando, in 2010. 

This prompted the Fernando couple to support the mayoral bid of then vice mayor Marion Andres, who lost in the 2010 elections.