Ex-vice mayor to oppose Bermejo in 2010 polls
ROXAS CITY – A former city vice mayor may throw his hat on the city mayorship against the formidable force of City Mayor Vicente Bermejo in 2010 local and national elections.
A reliable source told The News Today (TNT) that former Vice Mayor Angel Alan Celino is scheduled to declare today with the local media his intention to run as city mayor.
Celino, a lone opposition here, was a third termer city councilor before he became vice mayor in 2004 defeating former Vice Mayor Roberto “Bobby” Ignacio.
Celino ran against 1st District Cong. Antonio del Rosario in 2007 election but lose with a slim a margin.
Celino, who has no political machinery during that time, lost his bid in the congressional race because he was an opposition of the dominant Liberal Party (LP) led by Sen. Mar Roxas.
The former vice mayor, who has a strong hold in Roxas City, was a member of the LP but bolted from the dominant party because he ran for vice mayor against Ignacio.
On the other hand, Bermejo, who is undefeated politician, started his political career in 1986 when he was appointed officer-in-charge (OIC) mayor of Panay. He was elected three times as mayor of Panay town.
Due to his performance in good governance, Bermejo also finished his three terms as governor in the province of Capiz then was later elected mayor with a wide margin over against former City Councilor Teresita Almalbis.
Last Friday evening, August 21, Celino and Del Rosario, who are actually third cousins, reconciled through the intercession of former PNP Chief Roberto “Bobby” Lastimoso.
Celino and Del Rosario hugged each other at the house of Lastimoso in Brgy. Dumulog, Roxas City and vowed to support each other’s political plans.
It was learned that Rosario and Celino had been at odds with each other when the duo were in different party during the previous elections.
It was not known whether or not Celino will be supported by Sen. Mar Roxas.
Del Rosario would be facing Vice Mayor Felipe Barredo, who is Bermejo’s cousin, in the 1st district congressional race.
Both Bermejo and Barredo claimed that they are still with LP to support Sen. Mar Roxas’s presidential bid.