Allies break up, enemies team up for Cagayan de Oro 2019 elections

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Girlie Balaba, former ABS-CBN Davao City news anchor and closely identified with President Rodrigo Duterte, is running for councilor of Cagayan de Oro on the slate of Mayor Oscar Moreno’s PDP-Laban.

Balaba was one of the many hopefuls who filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC) in Northern Mindanao on Thursday, October 11, the first day of filing for the 2019 elections. 

In key localities in the region, some former allies are going on separate political paths, while some erstwhile enemies are forging alliances against common rivals. 

Cagayan de Oro

In Cagayan de Oro, the party of former 2nd district congressman Rufus Rodriguez, Centrist Democratic Party, is now allied with former mayor Vicente Emano’s PaDayon Pilipino Party.

In the 2016 elections, city mayor Oscar Moreno, Rodriguez, and Emano battled in out for city mayor. Moreno won, with Rodriguez conceding immediately and Emano filing a protest.

In 2013, Moreno and Rodriguez had joined forces, with Moreno supporting Rodriguez’s 2nd district’s bid for congress.

In 2019, Emano and Rodriguez will be allies.

Meanwhile, Nixon Baban, barangay councilor of Macasandig, also filed his COC for Mayor. Baban was a supporter of Moreno in 2013.

Below are the slates of PDP-Laban and CDP-PDP in Cagayan de Oro:

PDP-Laban slate

Mayor: Oscar Moreno
Vice-Mayor: Rainer Joaquin Uy
1st District Representative: Rolando Uy
2nd District Representative: Yan Lam Allam Lim

1st District Councilors:

• Zaldy Ocon
• Jay Roa Pascual
• Romeo Calizo
• Inday Dahino 
• Reuben Daba 
• George Goking
• Jun Daba 
• Roger Abaday

2nd District Councilors

• Malou Gaane
• Suzette Magtajas-Daba 
• Ian Mark Nacaya
• Eric Salcedo
• Teodulfo Lao
• Edgar Cabanlas
• Andrew Melliza
• Girlie Balaba

CDP-PDP slate

The CDP-PaDayon slate is waiting for the decision of Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña to run. He is being eyed as standard bearer.

Councilor Nadya Emano Elipe, daughter of Vicente Emano, is running for vice mayor.

1st district councilor:

• Lordan Suan
• Dante Pajo
• Adrian Barba
• Alden Bacal 
• Joey Abbu 
• Former vice mayor Caesar Ian Acenas

2nd district councilor:

• James Judith
• Ramon Tabor
• Alexander Dacer 
• Jocelyn Rodriguez
• Dometilo Acenas, Jr
• Leon Gan

The CDP-PDP will likely team up with Maria Lourdes Darimbang of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas for 1st district representative and Rufus Rodriguez for the 2nd district.

Bukidnon

Reelectionist Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri also filed his COC under the Bukidnon Paglaum Party. Jose Maria is the father of senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

In 2016, his party endorsed the candidacy of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Camiguin

In Camiguin Island, Jurdin Jesus “JJ” Romualdo, mayor of Mambajao town, said the family will shuffle positions.

JJ will run for congressman while his son, current congressman Xavier Jesus “XJ” Romualdo, will run for governor. JJ is with the Nationalista Party while XJ is under PDP-Laban.

Lanao del Sur

In Lanao del Sur, Vice Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr filed his COC for governor, seeking to replace his mother, Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong.

– Rappler.com