Palace official will seek Cagayan gubernatorial post

CAGAYAN, Philippines – Still months away from the filing of candidacies, a Malacañang official already confirmed he will run for governor in Cagayan under the Liberal Party (LP) ticket.

In an interview, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Manuel Mamba said he will lead an LP ticket in Cagayan in the 2016 presidential election, in hopes of resurrecting the good name of Cagayan.

Mamba said Cagayan has been branded with names of “corrupt” politicians. He mentioned the name of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has roots in Isabela, and detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who hails from Gonzaga town in Cagayan.

Enrile, who faces plunder and graft charges over the misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel, has been detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital in Camp Crame.

Mamba said he had already spoken with some of the incumbent mayors in Cagayan for his candidacy.

Mamba added he will support in Cagayan whoever is the LP standard-bearer as the administration party had “promised [him] support for the election.” (READ: Liberal Party to decide on 2016 ticket ‘in weeks’)

“What is important is we have to help the LP presidential bet to win here in Cagayan. We have always been an opposition,” he said.

In Cagayan, President Benigno Aquino III placed second only to now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada in the 2010 presidential election.

Mamba also ran for governor in the 2010 election but lost. 

Cousin vs cousin

Leonides Fausto – the current vice governor and president of the League of the Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) – might run against his cousin Mamba.

While Fausto has not officially declared his candidacy, he has been indirectly showing his intent.

In his official Facebook account, he described himself as the “next governor of Cagayan” and the “man who will lead Cagayan in 2016.”

Incumbent Governor Alvaro Antonio is now on his last term as governor. He has not confirmed his next plan, but a source said Antonio will run for vice governor, switching posts with Fausto.

In an interview aired on dwPE Radyo ng Bayan on May 21, Jack Enrile – former Cagayan Representative and son of Juan Ponce Enrile – announced his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race.

Mamba said the younger Enrile might have failed to get support for the election after the PDAF corruption controversy linked to his father. – Rappler.com