Lopez backs out of Manila mayoral race

MANILA, Philippines — Manila District 1 Rep. Manny Lopez, who was earlier endorsed by President Duterte as his bet for the city’s mayoral race, has reconsidered and is seeking reelection instead.

Lopez filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) yesterday to run for congressman anew.

“I thank President Duterte for endorsing me as PDP-Laban’s mayoralty candidate in Manila. But after much reflection, I respectfully informed him of my desire to finish my term in Congress. The President graciously acceded to my request,” Lopez said in a statement.

He was earlier endorsed by the Cusi faction of PDP-Laban as their bet for next year’s polls.

In a statement in September, the faction said Lopez was named by Duterte, PDP-Laban’s chairman, as the mayoral candidate for next year’s elections.

Also yesterday, former police general Elmer Jamias filed his COC for Manila mayor. He will face off against incumbent Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna.

Taguig mayor gives way to sis-in-law

In Taguig, Mayor Lino Cayetano will not run for reelection next year to give way to his sister-in-law, District 1 Rep. Lani Cayetano, who is seeking a comeback. She filed her COC at the Commission on Elections office yesterday afternoon.

She was accompanied by her husband, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who is eyeing a return to the Senate.

Lino said he will focus the remaining nine months of his term on leading the city’s COVID-19 pandemic response and economic recovery.

Teodoro seeks third term

Marikina Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro filed his COC yesterday for a third term.

He is running against District 1 Rep. Bayani Fernando, who is eyeing a return as mayor.

Teodoro and Fernando were once allies but the two had a falling out after the former filed a complaint against a firm owned by the lawmaker over a reclamation project along the Marikina River which he blamed for the massive flooding during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses last November 2020.

Pasig lawmaker  eyes reelection

Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo filed his COC for reeelection at the Commission on Elections central office in Intramuros, Manila. He was accompanied by his wife, former Valenzuela City councilor Shalani Soledad-Romulo.

Romulo, who currently chairs the House committee on basic education and culture, previously served as congressman for three consecutive terms from 2007 to 2016.

Zamora daughter files COC

Lawyer Bel Zamora, daughter of outgoing San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, yesterday filed her COC to run for congresswoman.

Bel was accompanied by her brother, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, and her father in filing her candidacy at the Comelec’s National Capital Region office.

Mayor Zamora said his sister’s decision to seek to replace their father is aimed at maintaining solidarity among city government officials in bringing executing meaningful projects and programs.

He said these projects include two high-rise in-city socialized public housing buildings, which he described as the first in the country; new barangay halls, multi-purpose buildings, wooden-covered basketball courts, government centers, public schools and other important infrastructure. – Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano