By POL DAEL, Managing Editor,
NITZ ARANCON and SHIELA MAE BUTLIG, Correspondents
REP. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District and Villanueva Mayor Julio of Misamis Oriental yesterday led their respective groups in filing certificates of candidacy in their separate attempts to unseat the present city hall and capitol leaders.
Another politician, Councilor Lourdes Darimbang, also filed her candidacy certificate, challenging the reelection bid of Rep. Rolando Uy of the city’s 1st District.
The politicians filed their COCs at the offices of the Commission on Election (Comelec) in the city and province, a day before today’s deadline set by the poll body.
The first to file was Rep. Rodriguez at 9:40 am after he and other candidates of the Centrist Democratic Party (CDP) heard mass at the St. Augustine Cathedral. From church, they, accompanied by supporters and a marching band, walked to the Comelec office on Burgos St. to submit documents required of candidates.
Rodriguez’s running mate, Councilor Roger Abaday, and his brother Maximo Jr., Abante Mindanao representative and candidate for congressman in the 2nd District, also filed their COCs.
Rodriguez said Rep. Rolando Uy would still be the CDP’s candidate in the 1st District despite the latter’s decision to be with the group of Mayor Oscar Moreno.
The CDP candidates for councilors who filed their certificates yesterday were Alejandro Abellera, Gil Banaag, Elmer dela Rosa, Roque Marban, Menelio Navarro, former city administrator Hilario Roy Raagas, Dures Tagayuna, and Nharz Tan for the 1st District;
Filipino Amoguis, Adonis Gumahad, James Judith, Lapasan barangay chairman Omar Labuntog, Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., ex-councilor Aaron Neri, Keith Paasa and Councilor Enrico Salcedo for the 2nd District.
Rodriguez said he was relying on God which was why before the fanfare that characterized the CDP candidates’ filing of COCs, he and his group opted to attend the 8 am mass at the cathedral.
The congressman, a member of the Jesuitun Xavier University High School Batch ’71, described himself as a devout Roman Catholic who always carries a rosary in his pocket.
He said he chose his candidates based on their qualifications, and on how they could contribute to his eight-pillar governance program on health, education, peace and order, and development, among others. He said his ticket includes doctors, a banker, a retired police officer, engineer, and lawyers.
At the provincial office of the Comelec, Mayor Uy of Villanueva town officially challenged the reelection bid of Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano. He filed his COC at 2:30 pm.
Uy was joined by his running mate, Robert Cezar, Reps. Pedro Unabia and Juliette Uy of the 1st and 2nd Districts, respectvely, who also filed their COCs.
Members of the National Unity Party-Liberal Party coalition who filed their COCs for seats in the provincial board: Wayne Militante, Jubert Pamisa, Vincent Pelaez, Virgilia Dumadag, and Eric Khu for the 1st District;
Borris Oliver Actub, Armando Pomar, Recto Achas, Ramil Carreon, and Erwin Adaza for the 2nd District.
Former Gingoog mayor Ruth Guingona, who is running for vice mayor of the Misamis Oriental component city, came to show her support to Uy’s group.
Meanwhile, Councilor Darimbang also filed her candidacy certificate for congresswoman in the city’s 1st District as an independent candidate. The Comelec received her papers at 2:46 pm.
Darimbang said she would support the presidential bid of administration bet former Interior secretary Manuel Roxas II. She said she none of the mayoral candidates––Mayor Moreno, Rep. Rodriguez and former mayor Vicente Emano––would get her support.
“No, I cannot support them especially the incumbent mayor,” she said.
Darimbang then hurled brickbats at Rep. Uy whom she wants to unseat, saying the congressman’s voice has never been heard in Congress.
She said she would be the city’s voice in the Lower House, and would work for the passage of laws if she wins an election next year.
“Kon to-a ko dido sa House of Representatives, akong nakita nga makahatag ako sa lapad nga pabserbisyo sa katawhan, nga dili nako mahatag kon na-a rako diha sa city council,” she said.
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