Ate Vi to run for Congress

MANILA, Philippines - Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, who is on her third and final term, is running for congresswoman of the newly created sixth district of Lipa City in next year’s elections.

Santos-Recto filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday.

“I was born in the Year of the Monkey and my lucky day is the 16th and between 9 to 11 a.m. That’s why I decided to file today,” she told journalists.

Santos-Recto, who is running under the Liberal Party (LP), will face Bernadette Sabili, the wife of Lipa Mayor Meynard Sabili of the National Unity Party. 

There are four contenders for the gubernatorial post of Batangas.

Vice Gov. Mark Leviste and provincial board member Caloy Bolilia, who are running for governor and vice governor, respectively, filed their COCs yesterday.

Former governor Hermilando Mandanas, District 4 Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza and AGAP party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones are the other gubernatorial candidates. They filed their COCs on Thursday.

Former Calaca mayor Sofronio Ona is Mendoza’s running mate. They are running under the Nationalist People‘s Coalition.

Former Batangas board member Chona Dimayuga is Briones’ running mate while Mandanas will run without a vice governor.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and Ilocos Norte Second District Rep. Imelda Marcos are both seeking reelection. They filed their COCs yesterday.

Garcia clan

In Bataan, at least five members of the Garcia clan filed their COCs yesterday.

Rep. Enrique Garcia filed his COC as vice governor. His children – Gov. Albert Raymond and Dinalupihan Mayor Gila Garcia – are seeking reelection. Balanga Mayor Jose Enrique II is running for congressman in District 1 and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority director Francis Garcia for Balanga mayor.

Geraldine Roman, daughter of First District Rep. Herminia Roman, who is on her final term, is eyeing the seat to be vacated by her mother.

Kidnap victim

Kidnap victim Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay Mayor Gemma Adana is running for vice mayor in next year’s elections.

Zamboanga Sibugay Gov. Walter Palma accompanied Adana when she filed her COC yesterday, said Senior Inspector Junar Vale Jorge, Naga police chief.

Adana, who was kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf gunmen at her residence in Barangay Taytay Manubo on April 7 was freed in Indanan, Sulu on Oct. 13.

ARMM

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman is seeking reelection.

Seventeen-year-old Norombai Utto, valedictorian of a public high school in Barangay Tukanalipao, filed the COC on Hataman’s behalf on Thursday.

Utto said she volunteered to file Hataman’s COC in support of the peace and development initiatives of his administration.

ARMM Vice Gov. Haroun Al-Rashid Lucman is also seeking a second term.

For BBL

Zamboanga First District Rep. Celso Lobregat, who filed his COC yesterday, vowed to keep a close watch on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). 

“One reason is the unfinished business that I have in Congress, the BBL has not passed,” Lobregat said on his decision to seek reelection.

He said he wanted to make sure the provisions of the BBL would be constitutional and protect the interest of Mindanaoans.

Surigao pols

An estimated 10,000 supporters joined LP candidates in Surigao del Norte in filing their COCs on Thursday.

Former Climate Change Commission vice chairman Mary Ann Lucille Sering filed her COC for congresswoman of the second district of the province while Francisco Jose Matugas II, Ninoy Aquino International Airport deputy collections officer, is running for congressman in the first district. – Arnell Ozaeta, Ricky Bautista, Ben Serrano, John Unson, Roel Pareño, Raffy Viray, Ariel Paolo Tejada