Brother or half-sis?: Which Sitoy will reign supreme in Cordova?

CEBU, Philippines - Blood is not apparently thicker than the will to serve in Cordova where Provincial Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy is set to challenge his half-sister, Vice Mayor Mary Therese  Sitoy-Cho, in the 2016 mayorship race.

Sitoy, who currently represents the sixth district in the PB, said this will be an opportunity for Cordovanhons to choose who they think should best serve the municipality.

“Lipay ta ana kay makapili ang mga tawo og maayo,” he said after filing his certificate of candidacy yesterday afternoon under the Par-tido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

He was accompanied by boxing promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud who represented Senate contender Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao.

Salud was supposed to run for mayor in Cordova in 2013 against Sitoy’s father, Mayor Adelino “Ade” Sitoy, but he was disqualified for failing to prove his transfer of residence from Barangay Punta Princesa in Cebu City to Cordova.

Arleigh said he will campaign for Pacquiao and former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino who is also running for senator.

Arleigh is still qualified to seek one more term in the PB but he opted to run for mayor this time, a position he held for three terms between 1998 and 2007.

He shared that he had undergone heart bypass and is almost done with his rehabilitation. He expects to fully recover in one year.

Arleigh said it will be less stressful for him to campaign in 13 barangays in Cordova than in 62 barangays of Mandaue City, Cordova and Consolacion, which comprise the sixth district.

“The fact is that those who would prefer to have me run for re-election want me dead. More importantly, staying out or retiring from politics is not an option. Public service is my life,” he said.

Arleigh said his running mate, Rodrigo Jumao-as, will step up against Adelino in the vice mayor race. This as the latter is already on his last term as mayor.

Sitoy-Cho and Adelino are running under the Liberal Party banner.

Meanwhile, two of Arleigh’s children,  Martin Adelino, 28, and Natileigh Marie Therese, 24, are also running for councilor under his slate.

Other candidates for councilors are Rowena Tongco, Adriano Balag Jr., Lilibeth Antiporta, Gertrudes Mantilla, Ador Aytona and Cris Ligan.