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By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE Padayon Pilipino decided to adopt Councilor Lourdes Darimbang as its candidate against Rep. Rolando Uy in the 1st District because no one in the party founded by ex-mayor Vicente Emano wanted the slot, Councilor Alexander Dacer said yesterday.

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Neither is it true that it was the party’s collective decision to field Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas as Emano’s running mate because the Padayon Pilipino leader had wanted Acenas to challenge the reelection bid of Rep. Uy, according to Dacer.

Acenas earlier claimed that the reason why he decided to run for reelection was because it was what the Padayon Pilipino wanted.

Dacer said Emano wanted Acenas to run for congressman after former representative Benjamin Jose Benaldo turned the offer down.

He said Emano had also thought of former mayor and representative Constantino Jaraula but the latter has not showed himself to the party.

Dacer said the slot was also offered to Councilor Dante Pajo but he, too, turned it down.

“Mibalibad man si Ian, so mao to nga sa last hour si Darimbang nalang ang nahukman nga among i-adopt isip guest candidate sa 1st District,” Dacer said.

He said that had Acenas agreed to run against Uy, either Councilors Pajo or Adrian Barba would have been picked as Emano’s running mate against Councilor Roger Abaday of the Centrist Democratic Party (CDP) and Uy’s son Rainier Joaquin of the Liberal Party (LP).

“Wala man pud mosugot si Pajo nga siya ang among kandidato sa pagka-congressman kay ang iyang gusto vice mayor man,” said Dacer.

Emano meanwhile told radio station Mellow Touch last weekend that he and Darimbang have yet to talk even after the Padayon Pilipino decided to adopt her as its bet against Uy.

Darimbang, for her part, said he was grateful to the Padayon Pilipino and Emano.

A text message Darimbang sent to this paper reads: “I’m so elated, flattered, and happy that I cannot help but welcome, together with my leaders and supporters, the very sincere gesture of former mayor Dongkoy Emano and his partymates, for an independent like me to be considered as guest candidate of a big and united local political party. This would only show their full trust in me…”

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