Customs chief Ruffy Biazon eyed as Muntinlupa mayoral bet

AFTER giving up his plan to seek a Senate seat, Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Ruffy Biazon may find himself back in the running as candidate for mayor of Muntinlupa City in the 2013 polls.

Calls for the candidacy of Biazon in Muntinlupa are said to be snowballing, backed by local businessmen and civic groups who believe Biazon could give incumbent Mayor Aldrin San Pedro a run for his money in next year’s midterm elections.

“He has a very good track record as a congressman.  He belongs to a rare breed of public servants.  He takes after his father (Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon) who has an unblemished reputation. We will support Ruffy,” businessman Ronnie Navarro of Barangay Bayanan said.

Biazon, son of LP stalwart Rep. Rodolfo “Pong” Biazon, served as Muntinlupa congressman for three consecutive terms from 2001-2010.  In September 2011, he was appointed Customs commissioner by President Aquino, to replace Angelito Alvarez.

“It’s good if Biazon will run. That’s okay,” Edel Arciaga, staff assistant in the office of City Councilor Margarita Amythist P. Labios.

Jaime Fresnedi, who served as city mayor from 1998-2007, is the official candidate of the Liberal Party (LP) for Muntinlupa mayor.

However, Commission on Election (Comelec) rules allow for last minute changes in the lineup.

“The people of Muntinlupa deserve the best public servants.  If Biazon runs, either as independent candidate or under the LP, he will definitely be a strong contender,” Navarro added.

Jean Marasigan, communications officer at the LP national headquarters,  said they have not yet been informed of any action to replace Fresnedi as LP’s official candidate, but the party still has time to do so.

“We have no information yet about the replacement of Fresnedi, but the party still has time to make last minute changes up to Dec. 21 as per Comelec rules,” Marasigan said.

Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, regional chair NCR-South of the LP, could not be reached for comment.

When asked about the possibility of facing off against Biazon in 2013, San Pedro, who is running under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay and former President Joseph Estrada, was momentarily caught off guard.

“We have still no report about that,  but we welcome the challenge.  Whoever will be the opponent, it’s okay with me,” said San Pedro, who is seeking a third and final term.