Duterte, who has served for six terms as Davao City Mayor since 1988, was nowhere in sight when his party’s secretary general, lawyer and reelectionist councilor Melchor Quitain, filed for the former’s Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) Friday.
UNOPPOSED. Paolo Duterte (left), son of Vice Mayor Rodrigo and brother of Mayor Sara, is set to run unchallenged as Vice Mayor in next year’s race. Also unchallenged is reelectionist Congressman Isidro Ungab. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel Hernani)
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — It used to be Daughter-Father Duterte tandem.
Now its Father-Son Duterte tandem as incumbent Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte replaces daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as candidate for Davao City’s mayoralty post. This, as his son, Paulo, takes over his post to vie for the seat of vice-mayor.
Duterte, who has served for six terms as Davao City Mayor since 1988, was nowhere in sight when his party’s secretary general, lawyer and reelectionist councilor Melchor Quitain filed for the former’s Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) Friday.
In a text message sent to media, daughter Duterte-Carpio said “I will give way to Vice Mayor Rody Duterte who will run again for Mayor.”
As her first term will end in June next year, Mayor Duterte-Carpio said she plans to “go back to work” at her law office which she shares with husband Mans.
The vice mayor will be contending with five other political unknowns: Rodrigo Sulamin, Rolly Solis, Magdaleno Marcellanes Jr, Teodoro Mantilla and Rodrigo Buezon.
“I’m running to put an end to (the Dutertes) political dynasty,” Teodoro, 45, a mechanical engineer said. He added, his aim is based on what’s stipulated in the Philippine Constitution.
For his part, Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Chairman Paulo Duterte is already sure to get the vice mayoralty post.
Practically the last candidate to file his CoC, the ABC Chair said he’s “thankful” that he’ll be running unopposed. He was with veteran politicians Luis Bonguyan and Leo Avila III when he filed his CoC.
Meanwhile, Avila is doing a comeback for the city council’s first district. He said, he’s “deemed resigned” as the City Agriculture’s head after filing his CoC. He has served the city council for six terms.
Avila vies for one of the eight seats against 17 other candidates: Quitain, Eufronio Galaura Jr., Carlos Cirilo, Joanne Bonguyan, Reynaldo Camingawan, Lorenzo Cañada, Jackson Reyes, Leah Librado-Yap, Bonifacio Militar, Edgar Ibuyan, Maria Belen Acosta, Emmanuel Galicia Jr., Jessie Mar Culaste, Nilo Abellera, Leo de Ocampo Gonzales, Lyndon Banzon and Oscar Casaysay.
In the second district, 16 candidates will compete for the eight seats. They are: Danilo Dayanghirang, Marissa Abella-Salvador, April Marie Dayap, Diosdado Angelo Mahipus, Malyn Cabling, Angelo Abelardo Aportadera, Jimmy Dureza, Richy Nalagon, Arnolfo Apostol, Winston Randolph Gamir, Rechil Patiganso, Laarni Calaxijan, Tomas Monteverde IV, Al Ryan Alejandre, Gerald Anthony Bangoy and Louie John Bonguyan.
In the third district, 17 candidates will vie for the eight seats. They are: Victorio Advincula Sr, Santander Eduardo, Rene Elias Lopez, Rachel Zozobrado, Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz, Jose Marie Bernardo Baluran, Allan Ostique Sr., Victorio Advincula Jr, Bernard Al-ag, Rogelio Montajes, Mary Joselle Villafuerte, Eduard Trinidad, Gerardo Braganza, Allan Dolor, Karlo Bello, Antoinette Principe and Kenneth Jade Jumawid.
Meanwhile, Bonguyan is Hugpong’s bet for the First Congressional District, a known stronghold of the Nograleses. He’ll be contending with lawyers Karlo Alexie Nograles and Elly Pamatong.
“Based on the survey we conducted, Bonguyan has more of a fighting chance. Also, his loyalty to the party has been tested and proven,” said Bong Go, Hugpong’s current Auditor.
Bonguyan served for three terms as vice mayor since 1998, under then Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
In the second congressional district, Hugpong’s bet Mylene Garcia will contend with Jennel Nagayo, Ulysses Lopez and Joji Bian.
In the third congressional district, Hugpong’s Isidro Ungab is running unopposed.
“It’s mixed emotions. I’m happy because I’m given the chance to run (without opponents),” Ungab said. (Marilou Aguirre-Tuburan/davaotoday.com)
