Cagas vs. Latasa in Davsur gubernatorial race

By ELDIE S. AGUIRRE,
Digos Bureau Chief

DIGOS CITY — Former vice governor Arsenio Latasa (LP) and former governor Douglas Cagas (NP) will clash head on to grab the gubernatorial seat in Davao del Sur comes May 2016 elections.

Incumbent Governor Claude Bautista has announced earlier he would be vacating the gubernatorial post of Davao del Sur even if he still has two more available terms of office since he is running for the same post in Davao Occidental, a newly created province.

Bautista picked Latasa as his bet for the gubernatorial post knowing his political records since he was then a member of the provincial board, the mayor of Digos City for 18 years, aside from being a former vice governor.

House Representative for District 1 Mercedes Cagas, the wife of Douglas Cagas defeated Latasa in their quest for the congressional post in 2013 polls.

Former Governor Cagas is now behind bars after he was linked to the gruesome killing of journalist Nestor Bedolido in 2010. Incumbent Digos City Mayor Joseph Peñas also defeated Cagas in their bid for the mayoral seat on 2013.

Board member John Tracy Cagas is the running mate of Cagas, while Vice Governor Aileen Almen-dras is seeking reelection under the slate of Latasa.

Meanwhile, Bautista filed his certificate of candidacy for governor of Davao Occidental on October 15 along with his older brother Congressman Franklin Bautista who is vying the vice-gubernatorial post.

Lorna Bautista Bandigan was the first to file her certificate of candidacy on October 12 to become the first congressman for the lone legislative district of Davao Occidental.

Former governor and incumbent Mayor of Malita, Davao Occidental has filed his COC as the town’s vice mayor with his nephew Bradley Bautista as mayoral bet.