TAGBILARAN CITY , Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay proclaimed yesterday (Oct. 2) the provincial candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) for the May 13, 2013 elections.
Among those proclaimed were incumbent Carmen town Mayor Conchita “Che” de los Reyes, as UNA’s bet for governor, and Sharleen Lim for vice-governor.
Sharleen is the wife of incumbent city Mayor Dan Neri-Lim, who will run for congressman in the 1st district against incumbent Rep. Rene Relampagos.
Though the provincial slate is not yet complete, UNA’s reliable source said that the party’s bet for the Provincial Board will be reelectionist PB member Gerry Garcia and former PB member Tomas Abapo, Jr. for the 2nd district.
Reelectionist PB member Dionisio Balite will run for the 3rd district, while former provincial legal officer Handel Lagunay, will vie for the 1st district of the PB, under the UNA ticket.
Binay, who also proclaimed other UNA bets in the municipalities though they’re not complete yet, fulfilled his promise to return to the province after last week when he swore in new party members in Bohol.
The vice president also accompanied UNA provincial candidates in filing their respective certificates of candidacy at the Comelec provincial office. He also attended the birthday of de los Reyes yesterday after going to mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral.
The Freeman also spotted at the Comelec office Abe Neri-Lim, who will be running in lieu of his brother, the incumbent city mayor, along with running mate Vice Mayor Jas Tirol-Montes and reelectionists city councilors Jijaw Balbin, Lucille Lagunay, Dandan Bantugan and Doni Piquero, and city administrator Ed Macalandag.
Also present during the proclamation at the Agora Square market were Leizl Orcollo-Go, a contender for mayor of Loon town and businesswoman Nita Cubrado who will run for the second time for mayor of Pilar town.
Meanwhile, incumbent Rep. Arthur Yap (3rd district) was the early bird in filing his COC last Monday, in his reelection bid under the Nationalist People’s Coalition. (FREEMAN)