ZAMBOANGA CITY—A festive mood greeted the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here as the offsprings of the so-called “political giants” and their supporters beat Wednesday's deadline for the filing of their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the 2019 mid-term polls.
Accompanied by their own drum and lyre corps, the two political groups trooped to the Comelec office almost simultaneously, with their supporters chanting slogans.
The Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) headed by first district Rep. Celso Lobregat attended a mass at the Fort Pilar Shrine, while the Partido Prosperidad y Amor para na Zamboanga (PAZ) led by Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar held their own church blessing at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral.
Lobregat is the son of the late Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, while Salazar is the niece of legendary Mayor Cesar Climaco who defeated the elder Lobregat for the lone seat in the then 1984 Batasan Pambansa.
Both Lobregat and Salazar are in their second term of office.
The group of Lobregat locally known as the “red team” was the first to file their COCs at the ground floor of the Comelec office.
Salazar’s group, locally known as the “pink team” went straight to the second floor and waited for the red team to finish filing their COCs.
“It’s a tough fight, I am an underdog. But we will regain city hall,” Lobregat said as he emerged from the Comelec office.
Lobregat earlier said her opponent “is using all government resources for her re-election,” an allegation the incumbent mayor has denied.
Lobregat’s running mate is Lawyer and former City Councilor Melchor Sadain. His elder brother, Jomar, is the candidate for the congressional seat that he is vacating. His candidate for second district representative is former Rep. Lilia Macrohon-Nuño.
The City Council line up in the first district are, as follows: incumbent Councilors Rodolfo Lim, Marxander Jaime Cabato, and Joselito Macrohon; former Councilors Luis Biel III and Rogelio Valesco; Sinunuc Barangay Chairperson Pilarica Ledesma; Hadj Sandag; and businessman Khymer Olaso.
In the second district are: incumbent Councilors Benjamin Guingona IV, Miguel Alavar III, and Lilibeth Nuño; former councilor Vincent Paul Elago; mediaman Marlon Simbajon; Lumayang barangay councilor Frederick Atilano; Culianan barangay councilor Mark Saavedra; and businessman Richard Mariano.
Lobregat said his party is an alliance of the PDP-Laban, Nacionalista Party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, and the local Adelante Zamboanga Party.
The red team, amid the chants of supporters and drum beats, then marched to City Hall grounds from the Comelec office. They the headed to the Paseo del Mar and ate breakfast together with their supporters.
“Adelante el interes del ciudad, hinde el interes personal (The interest of the city is above personal the interest),” Salazar said as she emerged from the Comelec office amid the chants of her supporters.
Salazar vowed to continue her program on security, health and education (SHE). She picked incumbent Councilor Rommel Agan as her running mate. Agan is the son of the later Mayor Vitaliano Agan.
Her candidate for congressmen in the first district is former Councilor Cesar Jimenez Jr. and incumbent Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe II in the second district.
The pink team council line-up in the first district are, as follows: incumbent Councilors Cesar Jimenez Sr., Elbert Atilano, and Josephine Pareja; San-Jose Gusu Barangay Chairperson Joel Esteban; Calarian Barangay Chairperson Elking Omaga; Engr. Al-Urao; businessmen Ricky Lim; and former priest Crisanto Dela Cruz of the Partido Pederal ng Pilipinas as guest candidate.
In the second district, the city council candidates are: incumbent Councilors Juan Climaco Elago II, Al-Jihan Edding, Teodyver Arquiza, and Jimmy Villaflores; former City Councilor Eduardo Saavedra; Tetuan Barangay Chairperson John Dalipe; Guiwan Barangay Chairperson Samuel Natividad; and retired policeman Alvin Perez.
Salazar said PAZ is an alliance of the Liberal Party, United National Alliance, Nationalist Peoples Colation, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Agrupation of Political Parties, and Partido Pederal ng Pilipinas.
From the Comelec, Salazar’s group proceeded to the mosque in Barangay Sta. Barbara and then to the Fort Pilar Shrine. (PNA/with reports from R.G. Antonet A. Go)
