CEBU, Philippines — The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan is courting former Naga City mayor Valdemar “Val” Chiong to run for vice governor in tandem with third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, who earlier announced her candidacy for governor.
Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong, Val’s daughter, said her father was offered to be Garcia’s runningmate.
“Sa tinuod, si mayor Val gihangyo nga mag vice governor… Dili man si mayor Val, they asked me if pwede ba ko… Most probably, ako dili gyud ko. Kang mayor Val kay iya pud nang gihunahuna,” she said.
There were already two meetings between Val and Garcia to discuss their possible tandem. Val was also asked by Garcia’s brother, former third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, and Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino.
Kristine also admitted that she is in open communication with Garcia’s daughter, Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco.
According to Kristine, what is certain for now is that she will never leave Naga City, a booming industrial hub of southern Cebu.
“Akong kasingkasing gusto (modagan) for another term either as mayor or vice mayor… For sure naa man tay padayonon sa Naga,” she said.
Kristine said she wants to fulfill her earlier commitment to provide permanent homes to those who were displaced by the massive landslide in her city that killed more than 70 people in Barangay Tina-an.
“I can speak for myself and I will stay here in Naga. I will focus my energy, my time, and my skills diri sa atong pagpadayon sa relocation ug mga buluhaton pa diri sa Naga,” she said.
Aside from the Chiongs, first district Rep. Garald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. was reportedly offered the position also. Gullas, however, denied it.
In a text message to The Freeman, Gullas said he will run for mayor in Talisay City while his grandfather, Mayor Edguardo Gullas, will run for Congress. Garcia first offered fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon to be her runningmate but he declined.
Garcia and whoever will be her runningmate will be up against incumbent Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale. Davide said he is planning to file his certificate of candidacy on Monday.
Cebu City
In Cebu City, new and old faces, including come backing politicians and sport celebrity, are competing in the upcoming midterm elections.
Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) candidates led by incumbent Mayor Tomas Osmeña will be filing their certificates of candidacy on Monday. Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña said they will hear a mass in the morning before going to the Comelec office.
“The normal lang, it will start with a mass and after proceed to filing,’’ she said.
Margot refused to reveal their complete slate including the runningmate of her husband. She said the group agreed to reveal the full lineup on the day of the filing.
“Mahibaw-an ra na sa filing, that’s what they agreed sa filing nalang mahibaw-an ang full lineup,’’ she said.
Some of them, however, confirmed that they will be in the lineup. One of them was former councilor Alvin Dizon.
“We are officially in in the lineup and Monday we will be filing the COC,” Dizon said.
Aside from him, former councilor Lea Japson is also in the ticket for the north district along with reelectionists Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla, and Joy Augustus Young. The rest of the candidates will be known on Monday.
Barug Team Rama PDP-Laban candidates are also scheduled to file their COCs next week. Councilor Joel Garganera said the party had a meeting yesterday to finalize the schedule next week. He said their lineup, which will be bannered by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and former mayor Michael Rama, respectively, is already complete.
Ernest Herrea II, son of former senator Ernesto Herrera, yesterday confirmed that he is running for councilor under the opposition ticket.
“I was invited by former mayor Mike Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, and Secretary (Mike) Dino to be part of the team and run as city councilor,’’ Herrera said, who is the former mayor of Calape, Bohol.
The opposition ticket will also include basketball hotshot Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, former South District congressman Antonio Cuenco, reelectionists Renato “Junjun” Osmeña II, Edu Rama, and Erik Espina. Gerardo Carillo Jr., Quiot Barangay Captain Francis Espares, and Tisa Barangay Captain Philip Zafra.
Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera will be the opposition’s bet for congress in the south district. The full slate of the party for the north district will be known during their filing of COCs on October 17.
Lapu-Lapu City
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza has decided to severe ties with the ruling PDP-Laban to avoid confusion. Radaza said her team will return to their original party, Lakas-CMD.
Radaza said some groups who are supporting another party are using her name to gain political leverage.
"Actually, (Secretary Adelino) Sitoy declared Ahong Chan as candidate for mayor. Ang ako lang sad gitan-aw ba nga with the declaration of Sitoy, kay the whole slate before kay PDP man gyud mi tanan from Congress down to City Council, so we feel nga dili lang sa siguro mi maghuwat or unsa, kay it might be too late, " Radaza said.
She explained that there might be a "manipulation" in the future if they will continue to stick it out with PDP-Laban.
"I had some talks, mao lage to, ang PDP, maoy akong dalhon as congressman, but ang mayor nako si Ahong. I will look funny, so ako gi-talk ang grupo nga di man pwede nga mahimong mobuwag ko sa grupo. Motungtong kag stage nga lahi imo partido, ma menos ang panan-aw sa imo," the mayor explained.
Radaza, who is on her last term, will run for Congress in the lone district of Lapu-Lapu. She did not reveal who will be their group’s standard bearer but talks were rife that her husband, former mayor Arturo Radaza will run for mayor.
Arturo was the original leader of Lakas-CMD in Lapu-Lapu City back when he was mayor in 2007. Radaza said they will be in coalition with the new political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and USJ-R Intern Carl James T. Cabarles, FPL (FREEMAN)