It’s Lakas versus Lakas in Legazpi mayoral race

LEGAZPI CITY — This city’ incumbent mayor and a councilor are slugging it out in next year’s mayoral polls, both claiming to be the official candidates of the administration Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats) party.

Mayor Noel Rosal and members of his ticket registered under the Lakas-CMD in their certificates of candidacy, while the group of councilor Michael Imperial listed Lakas-NPC (Nationalist People’s Coalition).

Both claimed to have original certificates of nomination and acceptance signed by Lakas-CMD president Speaker Jose de Venecia, secretary-general Hernando Perez and national executive director Jose Ma. Rufino.

"Because I am the incumbent mayor, under the equity of the incumbent rule of the party, I am the official candidate," Rosal said.

On their part, Imperial’s group said their Lakas-CMD certificates of nomination and acceptance had the endorsements of Albay’s second district Rep. Carlos Imperial, the councilor’s uncle, and the party’s national secretariat.

City election registrar Lowell Barrun said it is the Commission on Elections’ legal division which will resolve who are the official Lakas-CMD candidates.

"Our function in this office is merely to accept all the certificates of candidacy, and it is our main office which will resolve issues of this nature," Barrun said.

Lawyer Zacarias Saragoza, the Comelec’s Bicol director, said the poll body will likely declare the rival candidates as independents if the Lakas-CMD fails to resolve the problem.

"What I’m saying is merely based on a recently passed Co-melec resolution," he said.