12 out 17 mayors in Capiz join Bolante’s group
ROXAS CITY – It’s final, 12 out of 17 mayors in both 1st and 2nd district of Capiz including City of Roxas joined former Agriculture Usec. Jocelyn “Jocjoc” Bolante’s party, Ugyon Kita Capiz (UKC) in the forthcoming May, 2010 election.
Joining Bolante are 9 incumbent municipal mayors in the 2nd district and 3 incumbent mayors of the 1st district including Roxas City, or a total of 12 mayors.
The nine mayors under the leadership of 2nd District last termer Congressman Fredenil Castro whose wife Mrs. Jane Castro is running for congresswoman are: Ivisan Mayor Felipe Yap, Sapian Mayor Arturo “Turic” Orosco, Sr., Mambusao Mayor Jose “Joe” Alba, Jamindan Mayor Ethel Jinon, Dao Mayor Joselito “Bobo” Escutin, Cuartero Mayor Roger Flores, Dumalag Mayor Lilia Castro, sister of Cong. Castro, Dumarao Mayor Leslie Warren “Beboy” Benjamen and Tapaz Mayor Rosemarie Gardose. They filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) on Saturday.
The nine 2nd district incumbent mayors filed their COCs simultaneously at their respective towns on Saturday under the banner of Lakas-Kampi-CMD while Sapian Mayor Orosco only filed his COC yesterday morning under the banner of National Party (NP) of Presidential Candidate Manny Villar. All of these incumbent mayors are affiliated with Bolante’s UKC.
In the 1st District of Capiz, City Mayor Vicente Bermejo, Panay Mayor Dante Bermejo and President Roxas Mayor Rosario Buenafe also joined Bolante’s UKC. These 3 incumbent mayors and their councilors filed their COCs under the banner of UKC.
Remaining loyal to the Liberal Party (LP) of the Roxases are: Sigma incumbent Mayor Maria Andaya, wife of the late 2nd District Cong. Vicente Andaya, Panitan Mayor Kit Belo, last termer Maayon Mayor Beligio Dueñas, Pilar Mayor Rita Lyn Patricio, and Pontevedra Mayor Steve Contreras.
Bolante is facing incumbent Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr., a chosen candidate of Sen. Mar Roxas, while his party mate reelectionist 1st District Cong. Antonio del Rosario is challenged by incumbent Vice Gov. Felipe Barredo in the congressional race.
Meanwhile, City Mayor Bermejo and 10 city councilors filed their COCs before the city Commission on Election (Comelec) yesterday morning. The 10 councilorables are: reelectionists Greg Arcenas, Jose Agdalipe, Carla Abela and Rolando Ignacio; businessmen Johnny Magallasnes and Lauro Lima; lawyer Albert Deslate, husband of Judge Ma. Esperanze Poco-Deslate, Ramon “Nonoy” Albar, father of Lawaan Brgy. Captain Randee Albar, former City Councilors Ray Andrada and Teresa “Inday” Almalbis, wife of former Culasi Brgy. Captain Eleazar Almalbis.
For 1st district board members, who filed their COCs yesterday, are Dr. Cesar Yap, City Councilor Ramon “Monchit” Albar, Former Board Member Blesilda Almalbis, daughter of Former Pilar Mayor Porferio Perez, Pontevedra Vice Mayor Noeme Dumapig and Lawyer Kenneth Alovera.
