CEBU CITY – Newcomers and returning personalities showed up on the penultimate day of filing of Certificates of Candidacy in Cebu province on Monday, October 7.
Among the new faces who decided to foray into politics is a little-known businessman who is challenging an established political clan in the seventh district of Cebu.
LITO Navarro answers questions from reporters before filing his Certificate of Candidacy for congressman of the seventh district of Cebu on Monday, October 7. (Calvin D. Cordova)
Lito Navarro, who runs a mining company, is contending for the position currently held by Peter Calderon of the powerhouse One Cebu party. Calderon has yet to file his COC and there were reports that his wife will run in his place.
“This is going to be an uphill climb but I will put up a good fight,” said Navarro.
Navarro, who is running under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas party, said he will prioritize the improvement of the seventh district’s healthcare and educational system if elected.
Navarro said he will also be visible in his district.
“I will put up satellite offices so I will be closer to the people. Because now, some people don’t even know who their mayor or congressman is. The effort to improve the district is there but I think it’s not enough,” said Navarro.
Another political neophyte, Yogi Ruiz, the former commissioner of the Bureau of Customs, is running for mayor here.
He is going up against dismissed Mayor Michael Rama and acting Mayor Raymond Garcia, who has yet to file his COC.
Ruiz said it is about time that this city is run by a new leader. He cited Pasig City and Manila that he said significantly improved when these areas were handled by new leaders.
“How many years have they been in office, there is no progress,” said Ruiz, referring to Garcia and Rama.
Ruiz’s slate includes former pro basketball player Bonel Balingit who will run for councilor in the city’s south district.
In Mandaue City, a gigantic showdown has been forged after incumbent provincial board member Jonkie Ouano filed his COC for mayor. Ouano will go up against Jonas Cortes, who was recently dismissed as mayor by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Despite the dismissal order, Cortes filed his COC seeking reelection as he vowed to contest the ruling. Ouano’s sister Emmarie Lollypop Ouano-Dizon will seek reelection as representative of the lone district of Mandaue.
In Lapu-Lapu City, former Mayor Paz Radaza is attempting a comeback after she filed her COC to go up against Mayor Junard Chan.
Reelectionist Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia is set to file her COC on Tuesday, the last day of filing of COC. Vice Gov. Junjun Davide will also file his COC to run as representative of Cebu’s second district.