Prominent names such as Arroyo, Davide, De Venecia, Natividad and Osmeña led the roster of candidates who made formal their run at elective posts in the provinces yesterday, beating the Dec. 1 deadline.
President Gloria Arroyo’s son, Dato, was seeking reelection as congressman of the first district of Camarines Sur. He was accompanied by his wife, Kakai, and daughter Eve Victoria, along with several town mayors when he filed his certificate of candidacy yesterday.
In Pangasinan, Georgina “Gina” de Venecia set out to represent the fourth district in place of her husband former Speaker Jose de Venecia who reached the three-term limit. She filed her candidacy under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which she described as the natural ally of her husband.
“NPC and its leader Ambassador Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco have supported my husband in all his fights,” she said.
In Bulacan, Christian Natividad, son of a former congressman, filed his candidacy for mayor of the capital city of Malolos. The 32-year-old lawyer was accompanied by former Gov. Josefina de la Cruz, who set out to regain her old post. Natividad and De la Cruz formed a coalition with the Liberal Party.
In Cebu, the son of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Hilario “Junjun” Davide III, joined the gubernatorial race, teaming up with Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez.
In Cebu City, candidates under Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan that coalesced with the Liberal Party filed yesterday their certificates of candidacy after a mass at the City Hall.
Osmeña would run for Congress, representing Cebu City’s south district. He tapped incumbent Vice Mayor Michael Rama as mayoral bet with education consultant Joy Augustus Young as vice-mayoral candidate.
In Cebu’s north district, the daughter of Rep. Raul del Mar, Rachelle Margaruette del Mar, will try to take his place.
Another challenger for Cebu’s north district is Magdalo member Lt. Ashley Acedillo who is running as an independent candidate. He is now the official spokesman of the Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago Movement.
Earlier Thursday, former Senator John Henry Osmeña filed his candidacy for city mayor, followed by the city mayor’s youngest sister Georgia who is also vying for the mayoralty post. Both of them are running as independent candidates. Orlan Mauricio, Marcelo Ortigoza and Ferliza Contratista
