Fugitive Iligan mayor to seek reelection with priest as mate

By NORA SORINO, BONITA ERMAC and TOMASITA ASEQUIA
of GSD-Iligan Bureau

ILIGAN City––Fugitive mayor Celso Regencia is going to seek reelection next year.

The suspended mayor, wanted in connection with a murder and frustrated murder case filed in connection with the ambush of Rep. Vicente Belmonte Jr..

Lawyer Demosthenes Plando, a member of Regecia’s group, did not say whether or not Regencia would surface and give himself anytime soon, or if the mayor was in contact with him and other members of their group but the lawyer revealed that The Rev. Fr. Jemar Vera Cruz would be the local chief executive’s running mate.

Cruz, along with at least two other priests in the city has been vocal in their support for the mayor who was suspended by the Palace in connection with a grave abuse of authority case.

Plando said Regencia’s list of candidates includes former Lanao del Norte congressman Alipio Badelles for a seat in the Lower House.

For councilors, he said, Regencia would field Sol Baczarpa, Titing Ances, Jake Balanay, Nonoy Haim, Dr. Bunz Lim, Dr. Jim Burgos, Lamberto Macapagal, Val Murillo, Ian Uy, Eric Capitan and Engr. Sammy Huertas.

Plando said he would also run for councilor under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, and their group would support Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero who are going to run for President and Vice President, respectively.

Regencia was suspended for abuse of authority based on a case filed by Vice Mayor Ruderic Marzo, who is now the city’s acting mayor. A court has issued a warrant of arrest against Regencia and nine others in connection with the ambush of Belmonte and his group near the Laguindingan airport in Misamis Oriental on Dec. 11, 2014.  Three of Belmonte’s aides were killed in that attack.