ZAMBOANGA CITY - Former lawmaker Celso Lobregat has chosen Councilman BG Guingona over Councilman Mike Alavar to be his vice mayoralty bet in next year’s polls, but the ageing politician is yet to announce his congressional candidate for the 1st District.
The 73-year
old Lobregat, who is running for mayor, announced this in a news conference at
his residence on Wednesday. Alavar was absent at the press conference, although
he phoned Lobregat and said he is supporting the “Team Colorao,” and would like
to include his daughter in the group’s candidates for the City Council.
Last month,
Lobregat chose Councilman Jerry Perez as his congressional bet for the 2nd
District. Perez is a long-time ally of Lobregat and president of the local
chapter of the Association of Barangay Captains.
Lobregat’s
allies in the City Council continue to support him, despite his terrible loss to
Mayor Beng Climaco in the 2019 local elections. Climaco won by a landslide against
Lobregat.
Lobregat’s
recent announcement has left Rep. Mannix Dalipe, who is reportedly aspiring to
become the next mayor, without a viable line up except for his younger brother
Councilman John Dalipe, who is believed running for a congressional seat in
District 2. It also opens the door now for both sides to publicly criticize or
challenge each other in an effort to bolster their own political
interest.
The elder
Dalipe, who served as vice mayor, was a staunch critic of Lobregat.
With the
brothers Dalipe challenging Lobregat and his group, it would likely to break up
the majority block which has opposed Climaco’s pro-poor projects, among them
the Vida programs, which greatly helped the indigents and the elderly sector,
including those with disabilities. Among them were Lobregat’s allies Litlit
Macrohon, Gerky Valesco, Cary John Pioc, VP Elago, Khymer Olaso and
Lilibeth Nuño.
Macrohon,
Alavar, Guingona, Dalipe and Nuño are all fiercest critics of Climaco who
opposed and disapproved the P1.368-billion Supplemental Budget requested
by the local government in June.
Climaco said the bulk of the budget will be
utilized for the Covid-19 response, such as the procurement of equipment,
medicines and social assistance to be given to affected families. “Este para
asegura el curada y comida que ay puede ayuda alivia vida na tiempo de
pandemia,” the mayor said, referring to the Supplemental Budget.
The 54-year
old mayor thanked the 13 council members, including political allies of
Lobregat, for approving the budget. Climaco’s allies in the City Council
- Bong Atilano, Jihan Edding, Kim Elago,
Cesar Jimenez, El King Omaga, Pinpin Pareja, and Jimmy Villaflores voted for
the approval of the budget; and so was Tungkuh Hanapi, the representative of
the Indigenous People in the City Council.
“We thank
the move of the majority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod members who went beyond
party lines and treated the approval of the Supplemental Budget No.1 amounting
to P1.368 Billion with a sense of urgency - this is a clear indication that in
a period of financial challenges and public health crisis, we, as servants of the
people, can unite over common goals and respond to a more genuine conscience
call - to heal the sick, feed the hungry and promote the general health and
welfare of all our people,” Climaco said.
“We thank
our SP members for showing unity and a whole-of-society approach for our
Covid-19 response and capacity management. With God’s grace, hay puede kita
dale curada y comida para ayuda alivia el vida del diatun maga vivientes na
este tiempo de pandemia. Muchas gracias,” she added.
Politicians running for the polls
are set to file their certificate of candidacy in October and Climaco continues
to enjoy the strong support of her constituents. (Zamboanga Post)
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