Wannabes take position for next year?s elections

Jimmy Villaflores

As Vice Mayor Mannix Dalipe positions himself for the mayoralty race against Mayor Celso Lobregat for next year?s general elections, several wannabes have signified their intention to run for vice mayor.
Aside from those who already announced their bid for the vice mayoralty post, there are others, especially incumbent councilors, who also showed interest in joining the race whether under a political party or as independent candidate.

Liga ng mga Barangay President Abdurahman Nuño has announced his desire to run for vice mayor under the local Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP).After the regular City Council session last Wednesday, Nuño told newsmen that he is willing to accept the challenge if chosen by Lobregat, who is seeking for his last term as mayor.Before Nuno?s announcement, party mate Councilor Rudy Lim, who is now on his second term, mentioned about his willingness to be Mayor Lobregat?s running mate.Other LDP members who are interested to run for vice mayor are Councilors Charlie Mariano, Nonong Guingona, Cesar Iturralde and Gerky Valesco.Since he is the only last term councilor among the wannabes, Lobregat may choos Iturralde from the others, a City Hall insider said.There are also some groups that have been pushing lady Councilor Lilia Nuño for the vice mayoralty race since the city is accordingly needs a ?mother? like Lilia.The name of City Health Officer Rodel Agbulos has also cropped up as one of the choices of Lobregat.In the opposite fence, the two last term Councilors Juan Climaco Elago and Roel Natividad, both from District 2, are courting Dalipe to make them his running mate should the young vice mayor decides to run for mayor.Natividad had said that if he will not be chosen by a party, he will run for vice mayor as an independent candidate.For the Council seats, former councilors Gerry Acuña, former vice mayor Susan delos Reyes, Atty. Rommel Agan, son of former Mayor Vitaliano Agan, retired PNP officer Reinerio Camins, Atty. Ricardp Baban, Pasonanca Barangay Kagawad Venusto Anova and many others may join the race in next year?s elections.Some of the citygovernment?s department heads like Social Welfare Development Officer Francisco Barredo and City Administrator Antonio Orendain, Jr. are lobbying with the LDP directorate to draft them for the Council race.A reliable source from City Hall disclosed that Nimfa Rebollos-Edding, widow of the late Councilor Asbi Edding, is also interested to run for councilor.Nimfa Edding is the Associate Dean of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU)?s College of Liberal Arts and concurrently the head of its English Department. ? Jimmy Villaflores  

Via Zamboanga Times