By Shiela Mae Butlig
Correspondent
ALL candidates of the alliance of Padayon Pilipino and Centrist Democratic Party filed their candidacies for Cagayan de Oro city today but its standard-bearer.
Although Jose Gabriel ‘Pompee’ La Viña, the alliance’s mayoral candidate, did not file his Certificate of Candidacy today, he accompanied incumbent City Councilor Jocelyn ‘Bebot’ Rodriguez in filing her candidacy for city vice mayor.
Incumbent City Councilor Lordan Suan, who is vying for a Congressional seat in the city’s 1st district, filed his candidacy. Deputy Speaker and 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez also filed for reelection today.
La Viña said he is filing his CoC tomorrow, in celebration of the feast St. Francis Xavier, as he believes that it is a “good date for filing.”
He contends that their team is strong and will be the ones who will bring “change” for the people of the city.
“I will not run for mayor if I did not feel that I’m the one who can bring (about) change,” he said.
His platform includes job generation and giving land to the landless.
For his part, Rodriguez, who earlier expressed his intention to run for city mayor, said he now supports La Viña. He added that he is confident La Viña can bring change to the city.
“I am satisfied as (a) congressman where I can bring many projects here in our city,” Rodriguez said.
And upon bringing these projects, he said, he is confident and at ease that the projects will be implemented under the administration of La Viña.
“He has the heart nga ibangon ang Cagayanon,” Rodriguez said.
The rest of the alliance’s slate who filed their respective CoCs were:
For the 1st district:
- Aga suan (PDP)
- Jerry Sabanal (PDP)
- Dures Tagayuna (CDP)
- Manny Darimbang (PDP)
- Malvern ‘Bernie Bitokbitok’ Esparcia (CDP)
- Eldie Rotoras (CDP)
- Alvin Calingin (PDP)
For the 2nd district:
- Yvy Emano (PDP)
- Marlon Bonggay (PDP)
- Nixon Baban (CDP)
- Tony Abejuela (PDP)
- Roger Villazorda (PDP)
- Jasmin Borja (PDP)
- James Judith (CDP)