SAYING his mission is to unseat his erstwhile ally, former Mayor Oscar Moreno jumpstarted his bid to retake the mayoralty Monday, October 7.
Moreno filed his certificate of candidacy under the National Unity Party, supported by the Padayon Pilipino, the regional political party founded by another erstwhile rival, the late mayor Vicente ‘Dongkoy’ Emano.
Congressman Lordan Suan (1st district, Cagayan de Oro), who is running for re-election, had brokered an alliance between Moreno and stalwarts of the Padayon Pilipino. Suan said they trust and share Moreno’s vision.
“There were small differences and it was understandable because of their past experiences but the alliance went on smoothly,” Suan said.
In the sidelines after filing his certificate of candidacy, Moreno said he decided to re-enter politics after being dismayed by how Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy is running the city government.
“Since he started his term, the city has countless of problems ranging from water, traffic, garbage .. the city is going nowhere,” Moreno said.
Moreno and Uy had parted ways shortly after the 2022 elections for unclear reasons. There were talks that the two politicians started bickering after the 2022 defeat of Uy’s son, Raineir Joaquin, to Suan in the congressional race for the first district of Cagayan de Oro.
Edmundo Pacamalan Jr., secretary general of the Padayon Pilipino, said acceptance of Moreno by party members was not a “walk in the park” either.
“Many of our barangay leaders resisted the idea of supporting Moreno but in the end, we asked them who will be the alternative. They did not have an answer,” Pacamalan said.
Pacamalan said they would support Moreno who will in turn will help Suan defeat the formidable alliance of Uy and Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro)
Moreno and the late Dongkoy Emano had squared off in 2013 with Moreno emerging victorious in the mayoralty contest.
But outgoing Misamis Oriental Board Member Boboy Sabal, a Padayon Pilipino member, said whatever division in the ranks of the Padayon Party because of Moreno will heal in the months before the May elections.
Councilor Yevonna Yacine Emano said the party will follow the directions of her brother, Rep. Yevgeny Emano, the leader of Padayon Pilipino who has designated Suan as the party chairperson for its Cagayan de Oro chapter.
