An 81-year-old mother abandoned her plan to run for an elective position in Muntinlupa due to her age and health.
Estrellita "Nanay Letty" Santiago was originally included as one of the candidates for councilor of the One Muntinlupa team of Rep. Ruffy Biazon, who is running for mayor, and Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, who is gunning to be the city’s next congressman.
Santiago was supposed to run for councilor in Muntinlupa’s District 2 in the May 9, 2022 elections but backed out. She is the mother of the late Muntinlupa Coun. Nep Santiago who passed away on Jan. 23, 2020 due to cardiac arrest.
In a Facebook post on Oct. 5, Santiago said she “decided, together with my children and family, to back out from running in May 2022 as councilor under One Muntinlupa due to my age and health.”
“My goal to continue the programs left by Kon. Nep and other plans that he wanted to do for Muntinlupenos will be accomplished together with my family through the Nep Santiago Tulong Eskwela Foundation Inc.,” she said.
Biazon thanked Santiago for “her desire to serve Muntinlupeños together with the whole party of One Muntinlupa. Even though her candidacy as councilor will not push through, One Muntinlupa will be her ally to continue the objectives of the Nep Santiago Tulong Eskwela Foundation, Inc.” Santiago was replaced by Dado Moldez as candidate for councilor.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Muntinlupa has received 21 certificates of candidacy (COCs) for different local positions.
As of Oct. 5, two mayoralty candidates have filed their COCs, one for vice mayor and 18 for councilor. Eight seats for councilors are up for grabs in each of Muntinlupa’s two districts.
On the first day of filing last Oct. 1, Biazon, Fresnedi and incumbent Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac filed their COCs. Fresnedi filed his COC with Comelec NCR.
Fresnedi is in his third and last term as mayor and chose to run for congressman while two-termer Biazon is running for mayor. Another candidate, Nelson Benjamin, filed his COC for mayor on Oct. 5.
One Muntinlupa’s candidates for councilor in District 1 are reelectionists Councilors Atty. Raul Corro, Allan Rey Camilon, Paty Katy Boncayao, Alexson Diaz and Ting Niefes, and Rachel Arciaga and Jedi Presnedi.
In District 2, they are reelectionists Councilors Francis Ian Bagatsing, Mark Lester Baes, Engr. Marissa Rongavilla, Engr. Arlene Hilapo, Engr. Mamerto Sevilla Jr. and Cornelio Martinez, and Luvi Constantino and Moldez.
Candidates have until Oct. 8 to file their COCs.