Ready for a campaign
Finally the deadline for the filing of the certificate of candidacy ended last Friday and now we know who are the candidates vying for elected positions in the midterm elections on May 2013.
There were not many surprises as several aspirant already announced beforehand they were seeking public office.
In Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama was running as an independent but Team Rama was adopted by UNA. Congressman Tommy Osmeña is running for mayor under the Liberal Party. Totol Batuhan left the Liberal Party and is running for a south district congressional seat under Team Rama. He’s up against Councilor Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa of the Liberal Party.
In the north district, entertainment talent manager Annabelle Rama is running for congress in Cebu City’s north district under Team Rama. Finally, former congressman Raul del Mar decided to run against her.
In the Province of Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia is the official bet of One Cebu for governor against Junjun Davide III of the Liberal Party.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale is running for the same position under the Liberal Party against Boboy Durano of One Cebu.
In the 1st district, Samsam Gullas is running unopposed under the Liberal Party. Mayor Abe Canoy withdrew his plan to run for the House and instead decided to seek reelection. In the 2nd district Rep. Pablo Garcia despite his advanced age decided to seek reelection under One Cebu with two opponents –- Provincial Board Member Wilfredo Caminero of the Liberal party and former congressman Simeon Kintanar as independent.
In the 3rd district, Gov. Gwen Garcia is running for the congressional seat under One Cebu against Pinamungahan Mayor Gay Yapha of the Liberal Party.
Yapha in my talk with her was kind of reluctant to run for the position because she recognized Garcia was a formidable rival. And Yapha still has one more term to serve as mayor, if she had decided to seek reelection.
In the 4th district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon is seeking reelection under One Cebu against former congressman Tining Martinez.
Junie Martinez decided to seek reelection as mayor of Bogo City against businesswoman- philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung.
In the 5th district, former tourism secretary Ace Durano is running for the House of Representatives under the Liberal Party with former mayor Gilbert Wagas as his independent opponent.
In the 6th district, Rep. Luigi Quisumbing’s reelection bid under the Liberal Party is being challenged by his former ally, former congresswoman Nerissa Soon-Ruiz under One Cebu.
In the lone district of Lapu Lapu City, the daughter of Rep. Boy Radaza, Aileen, is running for her father’s seat with no opposition.
From the list of candidates we can conclude that the 2013 election is going to be an exciting one. Many incumbents are facing serious challengers. But let us hope that the election will stay peaceful and orderly, and that wealthy politicians won’t resort to massive vote buying.
I also hope our voters are already well informed and vote wisely. I hope they resist the temptation to sell their votes to politicians. I wish and pray our people will no longer fall prey to the greed and foolishness of many politicians, and will choose candidates who are highly qualified to serve our people with sincerity and a good heart.
Now the ball is in the hands of the people.
I pray that our people will not commit the same mistake of selling their votes to the highest bidder.
