Opposition supporters defect to Climaco

ZAMBOANGUEÑOS SUPPORTING congressional aspirant Mayor Beng Climaco continues to swell after many followers of Team Lobregat and Team Dalipe defected to her group ahead of Election Day, one of her aides said.

Supporters greet Mayor Beng Climaco during one of her campaigns.

The insider, who is privy to Climaco’s political plan and accompanies her in campaigning in different barangays, said those who defected to the group of the mayor have cited her pro-poor programs and humungous accomplishment the past nine years as their reasons for switching support to the Team Climaco.

“People are coming to us and saying they no longer believe in Team Lobregat, as well as Team Dalipe, and pledged their all-out support to Ma’m Beng and her line up. These people are now helping us in the campaign because they believed in Ma’m Beng’s sincerity, honesty and how she runs the government. Her many achievements speak for her legacy,” the aide said in confidence. 

The 55-year old Climaco, who is running in District 1, could not be reached for her reaction to the swarm of new supporters from the opposition groups, but she previously made repeated public statements assuring Zamboangueños that she will continue prioritizing their welfare and craft more laws - if she wins in the May 9 election - that will benefit the people, especially the poor and the marginalized sectors. 

Querido compueblanos 

But in her Facebook page, the mayor - now called by her followers as ‘Cong Beng’ – wrote this: “Querido compueblanos, este si Beng Climaco. Por nueve años como alcalde del Ciudad, nunca ya deha con ustedes na tiempo man de guerra o pandemia. Ahora, por causa na todo diatun maga esfuerzo y programa, mas ya queda vivo el diatun economia, ya abri mucho malls y negocio que ta dale mucho trabajo y oportunidad para na todo. Ta pidi yo con ustedes todo que suporta otra vez con el Team Climaco para asegurar que hay continua el progreso para na un Nuevo Vida na Ciudad de Zamboanga: Seguridad y Prosperidad para na todo!” 

In another post, the mayor said: “Nuevo Vida na Zamboanga - seguridad y prosperidad para na todo! Security, Health and Education was my campaign battle cry when I ran for Mayor for the very first time in 2013 – these priorities reflect the concerns and challenging realities we faced as a City that year and the previous years – (we were) worried of kidnapping incidents, always on the edge for a possible bombing or another terror attack and the feeling of trepidation compounded by the rising statistics of victims of gun violence.” 

“We felt the fear and anxiety of families worried about their children, the business community worried about the loss of investments and even their own safety and the decaying trust and confidence of our people on their (previous) government because of its failure of making them feel protected and safe,” she said. 

The mayor stressed the need for her successor to continue what she started nine years ago, referring to the various welfare, and peace and development programs to infrastructure projects for a more progressive Zamboanga. 

“Our message now in this 2022 campaign is a message of hope overcoming fear. A message of reassurance in uncertain times and a message filled with a fighting spirit ahead of an unknown yet promising future. You all gave me the highest mandate in our City’s history when I ran for Mayor and I will forever remain grateful to all of you. Muchas gracias otra vez la confianza que ya dale ustedes conmigo, y por causa con este, la seguridad y prosperidad de todo amo el diatun numero uno prioridad cuando ya principia kita trabaja na City Hall,” she said. 

Climaco is campaigning for Rep. Jawo Jimenez to succeed her with Councilor Pinpin Pareja as his running mate. She is also campaigning for lawyer Kim Elago, who is running for congressman in District 2. The multi-awarded mayor is expected to win the congressional race as she is the most qualified and even praised by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for her achievements; and so is President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Defeated 

In the 2019 election, Climaco defeated Lobregat, now 74-years old, in what could be a historical victory against a veteran politician who belongs to a powerful political clan that ruled Zamboanga for many decades now. The re-elected mayor won overwhelmingly with over 30,000 votes against Lobregat despite his endorsement from Duterte and his daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Lobregat was once touted as the richest mayor in Mindanao and one of the longest and oldest serving members of the House of Representatives.

Garnering over 130,000 votes, Climaco gave a humiliating defeat for Lobregat, who claimed to have the support then of nearly 80% of barangay chairmen and various sectors in Zamboanga. His younger brother, Jomar, also ran for a congressional seat, but was defeated for the second time since 2013. The mayor’s legendary grandfather, Cesar Climaco, considered the greatest mayor of Zamboanga, also defeated Lobregat’s mother, Maria Clara, 35 years ago. (Zamboanga Post)