ALL SET. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District addresses his supporters during the convention of the Centrist Democratic Party (CDP) here on Saturday. Some 3,000 people came to see Rodriguez raise the hands of his 2016 candidates, including his brother Maximo Jr., the present representative of Abante Mindanao. (PHOTO BY NITZ ARANCON)
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By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

ABANTE Mindanao (Abamin) Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. wants to succeed his elder brother who would be running for mayor next year.

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It’s final, and the party-list representative was officially declared as the Centrist Democratic Party’s candidate for congressman in the city’s 2nd District during the party’s convention at the Nazareth gym on Saturday.

The elder Rodriguez declared his brother as his congressional bet even as he announced before a crowd of about 3,000 that the CDP has decided to “adopt” Rep. Rolando Uy as its candidate for congressman in the 1st District. Uy is a member of the administration Liberal Party that is behind the reelection bid of Mayor Oscar Moreno.

Rodriguez’s announcement however was greeted by raised brows, and immediately brought back to life criticisms that his family was out to establish a political dynasty in the city.

It was Maximo Jr. who earlier revealed that his elder brother’s wife Fenina was being considered as the CDP’s candidate for congresswoman in the 2nd District.

When the elder Rodriguez declared his mayoral bid in Sept. 13, he told reporters his wife would run for congresswoman. He however took it back the following week, and said, “After initial deliberation with other leaders, I decided that we will choose another person to replace me. Ang akong asawa walay hilig sa politika. Lisod nga ang modagan pagka-mayor iyang asawa maoy modagan pud pagka-kongresista. Mi-ingon si Nenen (Fenina) nga motabang lang siya kanako, dili elected… Wala na kanang isyu sa political dynasty.”

Meanwhile, the elder Rodriguez raised the hands of his running mate Councilor Roger Abaday and candidates for city council seats.

The CDP list includes former city administrator Hilario Roy Raagas, Nharsiccius Tan, Elmer dela Rosa, Roque Marban, Dures Fe Tagayuna, Meneleo Navarro, Gil Banaag, and Alejandro Abellera for the 1st District;

Councilors Teodulfo Lao and Enrico Salcedo, barangay chairpersons Omar Labuntog of Lapasan and Gigi Go of Barangay 21,  former councilor Aaron Neri, James Judith II, and Adonis Gumahad for the 2nd District.

Rodriguez said he and the other CDP bets would file their certificates of candidacy on Oct. 14.

He said he plans to strengthen city hall’s programs on health, education, peace and order, infrastructure, and employment that was started by Mayor Moreno, and he was confident the city’s voters would prefer him based on his nine-year track record as the 2nd District’s congressman.

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