Dumanjug mayor to run for Congress vs. Pabling

CEBU, Philippines - Dumanjug Mayor Cesar Baricuatro will run for congressman in the second district of Cebu against Rep. Pablo Garcia, the father of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

"I will run for congressman in the second district because I want democracy to work in my district," Baricuatro told reporters yesterday after the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter, which he currently heads.

Baricuatro is now on his last term as mayor of Dumanjug, the hometown of the Garcia clan.

Baricuatro, an ally of the governor, said he does not know whether his relationship with her will be affected now that he is running for Congress against her father, who is now on his second term.

The governor's younger brother, Nelson, is eyeing for Baricuatro’s post while the mayor wanted his son, Christopher, to succeed him.

Nelson run for mayor in 2004 but lost to Baricuatro. In 2007, the Garcias supported Baricuatro.

The second district is composed of the towns of Dalaguete, Alegria, Santander, Dumanjug, Argao, Alcantara, Alcoy, Boljoon, Malabuyoc, Ronda, Badian, Samboan, Oslob, Moalboal and Ginatilan.

These municipalities, Baricuatro said, have tourism potentials to become a tourist destination in the southern part of Cebu.

If elected, Baricuatro said he wants the entire district to follow environmental laws.

He said that although he is currently a member of Lakas-Kampi, he is supporting the presidential bid of Nacionalista Party president Manuel Villar, Jr.

"Few days from now, many Lakas-Kampi members will take their oath as NP members," Baricuatro said, adding Villar is a man of action who can turn around the country for the better. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM    (FREEMAN NEWS)