"One Carmen" bares slate for 2010

CEBU, Philippines - Carmen town mayor Sonia Pua announced her reelection bid for the coming 2010 elections, revealing the complete line up of her team under the “One Carmen” banner.

Former Compostela mayor Gilbert Wagas, who was chosen the official candidate for congressman in the fifth district by the Nagkahiusang Oposisyon sa Kinto Distrito, proclaimed Pua and her running mate for vice mayor incumbent Councilor Zaldy Capuno and their eight bets for councilors.

The complete slate for councilors under the Pua-Capuno team up are Bambi Pua Villegas, Atty. Cornelio Lavente, Luchie Enriquez, Jonidie Morales, William Villamor, Boy Pacaldo, Mark Lao and Regel Bacula.

Pua’s reelection bid will be challenged by incumbent Vice Mayor Martin Gerard Villamor, who has already publicly declared his plan to seek the mayoral post in Carmen in next year’s elections.

Villamor has the support of former congressman and now Danao City Mayor Ramonito Durano III.

In 2004 elections, Villamor and Durano are supporting different groups, but they decided to unite themselves.

Wagas said the team up of Pua and Capuno and their bets for councilors is a true manifestation for the people of Carmen who want change. He said the people should stand up for themselves and should not let themselves “be dictated by one person from Danao City.”

Pua said she decided to seek for reelection because she wants to continue her programs and to continue the legacy of the late mayor Virginio “Benyong” Villamor.

Pua was elected vice mayor in 2007 elections, but she assumed the mayorship following the death of Villamor.

Capuno, on the other hand, said he is a loyal party man of Villamor group, but decided to support to Pua because of her programs for the town. — Jose P. Sollano/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)