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By EDWIN IYO
Correspondent

GINGOOG City––Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano gave Padayon Pilipino candidates in this city a morale boost on Tuesday as they filed their certificates of candidacy in what the capitol said was a step in making the Guingona political dynasty crumble.

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Emano came with his candidates for the provincial board in the 1st District of the province as a show of support to Padayon Pilipino mayoral candidate Vice Mayor Erick Cañosa and his running mate provincial board member Jabi Bernaldez.

The Padayon Pilipino said Canosa and Bernaldez, who collectively hold a considerable political influence in this city, would likely cause a realignment of political forces in this part of Misamis Oriental that “could ultimately lead the Guingona bailiwick to crumble.”

The Padayon Pilipino candidates are up against reelectionist Mayor Marie Guingona and her mother Ruthie, a former governor and mayor, who is running for vice mayor next year under the administration Liberal Party.

Cañosa and Bernaldez were political allies of the powerful Guingona family in the 2013 elections but subsequently became allies of Emano.

In a phone interview with this paper, Bernaldez said he has nothing personal against the LP but his decision was “a matter of political strategy” and because “Bambi (Emano) treated us [in the provincial board] well, and equally.”

Bernaldez said there has been no major conflict between the capitol’s executive and legislative branches since Emano assumed as governor in 2013.

“We always had a smooth working relationship despite the fact that there was a time when the provincial board was dominated by the LP. The harmony is a result of the governor’s courtesy and respect towards us,” he said.

Padayon Pilipino members are now the provincial board majority, according to Bernaldez, and provincial board member Benedict Lagbas, a former LP member who is now the Emano group’s mayoral candidate in Sugbongcogon.

Lagbas said the Padayon Pilipino now has eight members in the provincial board against the LP’s seven after local legislators defected from the LP to the Padayon Pilipino.

Like Bernaldez, Lagbas said the way Emano has been running the capitol, his smooth working relations with provincial board members, and his program factored in their decision to join the Padayon Pilipino.

Bernaldez said LP members have remained his friends “but I have plans in Gingoog, and I am happy that we have joined forces with the governor.”

Bernaldez and his mayoral bet led the Padayon Pilipino group in hearing mass at the St. Ignatius Church, and a motorcade before they filed their candidacy certificates.

Councilor Robert de Lara, president of the local Liga ng mga Barangay and Mayor Guingona’s cousin, said he was behind Cañosa’s and Bernaldez’s bids to win city hall’s top seats next year.

The Canosa-Bernaldez ticket includes former vice mayor Marlon Kho, Avelino Bernaldez, Rey Mortiz, Ernest Chavez,  Melleanete Mercado, Hedy de Lara, Margarita Heini, Agnes Lee, and Geremy Cabeltes.

“Young, dynamic and good public servants. Any party would be happy to have them,” reads part of Emano’s statement sent to this paper.

He said he has always made it a point to be around whenever candidates of his party file their COCs.

“My presence is a sincere expression of my full trust and confidence on these people,” Emano said. (with reports from herbie gomez)

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