No final slate yet for city opposition group
Only three days are left before the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for local aspirants, but the opposition group in the city has yet to firm up its slate.
The group which has former Mayor Mansueto Malabor as bet for congressman and former Councilor Joshua Alim as candidate for mayor is still scouting on who will be their candidate for vice mayor as City Councilor Erlinda Liberiaga remains undecided whether to run or not.
Alim in an interview said Liberiaga asked for time as she would still consult her family about her decision.
Earlier, Liberiaga already made a statement over the radio accepting Alim's offer to run as vice mayor of their group.
Alim assured that they will be able to finalize their slate before the March 29 deadline.
Meanwhile, Alim said unlike the administration slate, their group will file their COCs without funfare. He said their group has no fund to gather barangay leaders to join them in the filing.
It is public knowledge that of the 180 barangay captains, 174 are supportive of the Treñas administration.
Last Saturday, the city appeared in a festive mood when the administration party led by incumbent Mayor Jerry Treñas, Rep. Raul Gonzalez, vice mayoral candidate Jed Mabilog and 11 councilors filed their certificates of candidacy. The funfare started with a mass at the Sta. Maria Catholic Church. Supporters of the candidates filled the church.
Re-electionist Councilor Ely Estante joined his partymates but did not file file his certificate of candidacy since he believed the day is not lucky for him under the Year of the Pig. Treñas's group decided to file their certificates of candidacy last May 24 as it is considered as their lucky day according to a feng shui expert. They also wore green shirts to attract more luck.
Alim said they are also planning to hear mass before filing their COC. "Our strength and force will come from the common people who believe and support our cause," he said.