MANILA, Philippines – Jimmy “Jimboy” Jumawan, who used to choreograph and direct stage plays in the 1980s, is eyeing the mayoral post in the city of Makati for the 2016 elections.

The 53-year-old placed “art instructor” as his occupation when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for city mayor late Monday afternoon, just a few hours after acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr filed his own COC for the same position.

In his COC, Jumawan placed Partido Bagong Maharlika (PBM) as his political party. The group describes itself as a political party for a “corrupt-free Philippines seeking a better future for the Filipinos” in its official Facebook page.

Jumawan’s running mate is artist Edgardo Padrigon. They are fielding a total of 6 candidates for the city council: Restituto Balane, Roderick Leuterio, and Erlinda Gutierrez for the first district and Protacio Alba, Arturo Ecleo, and Jessica Talipan for the second district.

The second day of filing of COCs in the Commission on Elections’ office in Makati was quieter than the previous day, when members of the Liberal Party filed their COCs. (READ: Daughter of Binay’s accuser says she’s ready to serve Makati)

Only two people filed their COCs in Makati on Tuesday: Ecleo, and civil and structural engineer Nemesio Alvior, who is running for councilor in district 2 as an independent.

Respect for Binay, Peña

Jumawan told Rappler that one of his priorities would be helping the poor in the city, particularly the informal settlers.

“Sa mga mahihirap, ‘yung pabahay nila. Di naman po sigurong [tama na] ilipat sila sa malayong lugar tapos walang trabaho, tubig, kuryente. Puwede naman po dito sa [Makati],” said Jumawan.

(One of my plans include housing for the poor. I don’t think it’s right that informal settlers are being transferred to far places where they do not have jobs and access to water and electricity. They should stay here in Makati.)

The Makati city government currently has two relocation sites outside the city: one in Laguna and another in Bulacan. It also has one in-city resettlement home called the Makati Friendship Suites.

However, the city’s relocation programs have been the subject of controversy due to supposed overpricing and the neglect of its residents.

Jumawan said he is still finalizing his concrete plans for the Makati, but he said he will continue existing projects that he would deem to be beneficial for the city.

“Ginagawa pa lang po natin [‘yung] blueprint ng project na ‘yan [para] implementation na lang kung loloobin po ng Panginoon na paupuin tayo (I’m still in the process of making the blueprint of my platform so that I only need to implement it if the Lord wills that I become mayor),” he said.

Apart from Peña, Jumawan will likely face a member of the Binay family for the position of Makati mayor. Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr is the incumbent mayor, though he is currently suspended and was recently dismissed from office by the Ombudsman.

“‘Di po tayo nagkakandidato dahil po makikipagbanggan po tayo (I am not running because I just want to fight people,” Jumawan clarified, admitting that most residents do not know him and that he is not rich to launch a wide campaign.

“Binay at Peña malaki po ang nagawa sa Makati. Mataas po ang respeto sa kanila,” he added. (Binay and Peña have done many things for Makati. I respect them greatly.)

Still, Jumawan is hopeful for 2016.

“Nagbabakasakali lang ako na baka magbago ang ihip ng hangin at gustuhin ng tao ng pagbabago (I am just running with the hope that people may vote for me because they want change).” – Rappler.com