GMA, Lapid seek posts in Pampanga

FORMER Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo files the certificate of candidacy of his mother, reelectionist Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. TONETTE T. OREJAS/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for her third and last term as representative of Pampanga’s second district, the document attached with a photograph of her wearing a neck brace.

Her eldest son, former Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, submitted on her behalf the COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in the capital city of San Fernando and her certificate of nomination and acceptance (Cona) issued by Lakas-CMD.

Mikey was accompanied by Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda and officials in the six towns of Pampanga’s second congressional district. Asked why his mother is seeking another term in spite of her poor health, he said: “I’m sorry. I’m not my mom’s spokesperson.”

Arroyo, who is detained at Veterans Memorial Medical Center due to her neck and spine ailments, was first arrested in July 2010 for an electoral sabotage case for which she was allowed to post bail in July 2012. The Sandiganbayan ordered her arrested again in October 2012 for plunder involving Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds.

She was reelected in 2013 while in detention.

In Angeles City, Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid filed his candidacy for mayor while the theme song from his movie, “Leon Guerrero,” played as he arrived at the Comelec office. He was accompanied by his son, Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidate Mark Lapid.

Lapid said he intended to run for the post in 2004 but he was persuaded by then President Arroyo to run for the Senate instead. The senator is challenging reelectionist Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting in the mayoral race.

Rest of Luzon

In Zambales, Angelica Magsaysay-Cheng, 50, daughter of former Gov. Vicente Magsaysay, filed her COC for vice governor, intending to revive her family’s political legacy, said lawyer Elaiza Sabile-David, provincial election supervisor.

They lost their political grip in 2013 when members of their family lost in local and national races.

In Bulacan, Rep. Linabelle Villarica (fourth district) filed her COC for a third term, accompanied by a band and some 70 supporters wearing yellow shirts.

In Nueva Ecija, actor Rommel Padilla, father of matinee idol Daniel Padilla, returned to local politics when he filed his COC for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Wednesday in the first district, a post he held from 2007 to 2010 under the Bagong Lakas ng Nueva Ecija (Balane).

Padilla ran and lost to Jose Gay Padiernos in the vice gubernatorial race in 2010.

In Pangasinan, only 30 candidates so far have filed their COCs at the Comelec office for the 22 provincial and congressional seats at stake in the province. As of noon Wednesday, Comelec records showed that only one candidate—reelectionist Board Member Anthony Sison—filed a COC in contrast to the 23 on Tuesday.

So far, no one has challenged the reelection bids of Representatives Jesus Celeste (first district), Leopoldo Bataoil (second district) and Rose Marie Arenas (third district). Only reelectionist Rep. Kimi Cojuangco (fifth district) has an opponent in Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

In Isabela, reelectionist Gov. Faustino Dy III filed his COC on Wednesday, as well as his son, Francis Faustino Dy, who wants to become mayor of Echague town.

Rep. Ana Cristina Go (second district) also filed her candidacy for reelection, while Board Member Randolph Arreola filed the COC of reelectionist Rep. Napoleon Dy (third district).

Mandaue City

The mood in the Comelec office in Mandaue City was also festive when a member of the Ouano political clan filed her certificate of candidacy for mayor.

Mandaue Councilor Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon was accompanied by at least 3,000 supporters who wore red and white shirts that read “Ouano Kami (We are for Ouano),” “Anak sa Mandaue (Child of Mandaue),” and “Love Lolypop Ouano-Dizon” and a drum and bugle corps playing.

Performers danced the jingle of One Cebu, while Dizon’s supporters released the party poppers, sending confetti to the air.

Dizon used to be with the LP but decided to join One Cebu of the Garcias after the administration party picked Rep. Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing (sixth district) as mayoral candidate in Mandaue. The incumbent mayor, Jonas Cortes, also of LP, will run for the district representative.

Dizon was the first councilor of Mandaue. Her faher Thadeo was city mayor from 1998 to 2007. Her grandfather, the late Alfredo Ouano, was also mayor for a long time.

But the Ouanos fell from grace when Thadeo was implicated in the overpriced purchase of decorative lampposts worth P365 million that were used during the 2007 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu. Thadeo and then Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza were suspended after graft complaints were filed against the mayors, their engineering personnel and contractors.

Thadeo’s son, Jonkie ran for mayor in 2007 but was defeated by Jonas Cortes who went on to serve three terms.

Thadeo recovered from the controversy and was elected board member for the sixth district in 2010. He filed his COC for another term without any fanfare.

Rest of Visayas

In Southern Leyte, Gov. Roger Mercado and his brother, Rep. Damian Mercado, filed their COCs on Monday to seek another term. Roger will face Vice Gov. Sheffered Tan though both belong to the LP.

In Negros Oriental, the older brother of Rep. Henry Teves (third district) is running to take over his post.

Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the president of the province’s Association of Barangay Captains, filed his COC at the Comelec provincial office in Dumaguete City as a candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

In Negros Occidental, Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is running for reelection under the NPC. He filed his COC with the candidates for board members—Rommel Tan Debulgado, Antonio Tan Encarguez, Manuel Frederick Ko, Angelito Colmenares, Pedro Zayco Jr. and Helen Zafra.

Mindanao

In Mindanao, sibling-politicians have taken opposing sides in some provincial elections, fielding or supporting rival politicians.

Agusan del Norte Rep. Erlpe Amante is pitting Katrina Mortola of the Kusog Agusanon Party against his former wife, Judy Amante, for mayor of Cabadbaran City, who is being supported by his sister, Gov. Angel Amante-Matba. The Amante siblings will be running for reelection.

In Misamis Oriental province, Mayor Oscar Moreno of Cagayan de Oro City is seeking another term against the former mayor, Vicente Emano. Moreno’s brother, Reynaldo, however, has joined the Emano camp as the candidate of the Padayon Pilipino Party in the first congressional district.

Reynaldo, a physician, filed his COC on Monday under the party headed by reelectionist Gov. Yevgeny Emano, and will be facing reelectionist Rep. Peter Unabia, an ally of his brother.

In Davao del Sur province, Douglas Cagas, a former governor who has been in jail in connection with the 2010 murder of journalist Nestor Bedolido, filed his COC by proxy on Wednesday to reclaim his seat as a candidate of the Nacionalista Party.

His wife, Rep. Mercedes Cagas (first district), and nephew, vice gubernatorial candidate John Tracy Cagas, arrived with some supporters at the Comelec office in Digos City.

The detainee will face a lesser known candidate, Ronald Banac. His other expected rival, Arsenio Latasa of the NPC, was expected to file his COC on Friday.

In Maguindanao province, Sajid Islam Ampatuan, who is out on bail after being charged in connection with the 2009 Maguindanao carnage, filed his COC for the mayoral race in Shariff Aguak town. He will be up against his cousin, Mayor Datu Maroph Ampatuan, and his aunt, former Mayor Zahara Ampatuan.

Sajid, a former vice governor, has teamed up with the incumbent Shariff Aguak vice mayor, Anhara Ampatuan, under the NPC banner.

Another massacre suspect, who eventually turned state witness, also filed his COC for the vice mayoral race in Sultan sa Barongis, one of the five towns listed by police and military officials as possible “areas of immediate concern.”

Sukarno “Uka” Badal, a former vice mayor, said he is running under the LP. Tonette Orejas, Justine Dizon, Armand Galang, Allan Macatuno and Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon; Gabriel Cardinoza and Villamor Visaya Jr., Inquirer Northern Luzon; Maya Jajalla, Carla P. Gomez, Jhunnex Napallacan and Jani Arnaiz, Inquirer Visayas; Allan Nawal, Eldie Aguirre, Orlando Dinoy and Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao

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