Ate Vi not running in next year’s polls

MANILA, Philippines — Lipa City Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto is not running for any position in next year’s elections.

“After careful consideration of the present situation, especially the limitations in conducting a campaign during a pandemic, I have decided not to seek any elective post in the May 2022 elections,” Santos-Recto said in a post on Facebook.

“Just taking a back seat. I don’t want to be unfair to the voters, to my supporters,“ she added.

Sen. Ralph Recto had earlier said his wife would run under the ticket of Mayor Isko Moreno and cardiologist Willie Ong should she decide to run for senator.

The actress-turned-politician said it is important for those seeking national posts to go around and conduct face-to-face consultations with the people.

“I don’t think kaya ko to do this in the middle of a pandemic. Di pwede pa zoom zoom lang or via social media,” she said.

Santos-Recto, who began her political career in 1998 when she was elected mayor of Lipa, said she would continue to serve the public in a private capacity.

She was elected as the first woman governor of Batangas in 2007.

Meanwhile, her husband filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Monday as representative of Lipa City.

More incumbents file COC

As this developed, more incumbent local officials seeking reelection and old names in politics in the provinces filed their COC yesterday.

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino is running under the banner of PDP-Laban/Abanse Pangasinan Ilocano.

Espino was joined by his running mate board member Nestor Reyes and other members of their ticket.

Pangasinan fifth district Rep. Ramon Guico III, who is challenging Espino’s reelection bid, filed his COC yesterday.

Guico was joined by Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino, who is seeking a second term.

Guico’s father, Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico Jr., had earlier filed his candidacy for the post to be vacated by his son.

Ex-Baguio mayor seeks comeback

Former Baguio City mayor Mauricio Domogan, who seeks to regain his old post, filed his COC yesterday.

Domogan, who is running under the local Timpuyog party, will slug it out with incumbent Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

Domogan served as mayor of Baguio from 2009 to 2019 after serving in Congress for three terms.

Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda and his mother Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda filed their COC for the same posts.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Bambi Emano filed his COC for representative of the second district. Gingoog Vice Mayor Peter Unabia will run for governor.

In Bacolod City, Mayor Evelio Leonardia and former congressman Alfredo Benitez both filed their COC for mayor.

Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer are seeking another term. – Eva Visperas, Artemio Dumlao, Gilbert Bayoran, Bebot Sison Jr., Gerry Lee Gorit, Ding Cervantes