CEBU, Philippines - One Cebu Party has chosen a 23-year-old woman to run against the Wenceslaos of Santander town.
Alona R. Ator is set to run for mayor against either Santander Mayor Marilyn Wenceslao or her son, Vice Mayor Wilson Wenceslao in the 2013 elections.
“The people of Santander asked me to run against them because they are not satisfied of the present administration anymore,” Ator told The FREEMAN.
The Wenceslaos recently severed their ties with One Cebu party after years of being allies.
The complete slate of One Cebu party in Santan-der led by Ator will be presented today by party pre-sident Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and other party leaders.
Ator is the daughter of Siaton, Negros Oriental Mayor Albert Ator but she has been residing in Barangay Pasil, Santander for the past three years.
She grew up in Cebu City and graduated from the University of San Carlos with a degree in Business Administration.
Alona is helping her parents manage their business.
The Wenceslaos toppled the long reign of the Abineses in Santander in 2001.
Meanwhile, One Cebu party has gained more members from the fifth district, the bailiwick of Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya (Bakud) that also severed ties with One Cebu to join the Liberal Party.
The slate of Pilar town led by former mayor Rommel Tajo and his runningmate, councilor Elly Borinaga; Compostela candidates led by former mayor Ritchie Wagas and his runningmate, former councilor Duque Arceo; and Sogod candidates led by Vice Mayor Nicasio Bacayo and runningmate, Axienas “Sally” Montecillo took their oath as members of One Cebu Party yesterday.
“Today, a new era dawns upon the people of the fifth district as Compostela, Sogod, and Pilar swear in to a party that espouses the Cebuanos’ ideals and wishes not to fence in their hopes for a better life by traditional politics,” said Liloan Mayor Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, the district chairman of One Cebu.
“Ang fifth district over the Bakud na, ang fifth district One Cebu na,” Frasco added.
Vice Mayor Clint Maratas also took his oath as member of One Cebu yesterday as he was not able to join last week’s oath-taking of the candidates of Tudela led by his father, Loreto Maratas and runningmate, Lorenzo Solante.
The oath-taking was witnessed by Pablo John and his runningmate, former Danao City vice mayor Ramon “Boboy” Durano IV, Danao City Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr., former Danao City mayor Jesus “Don” Durano and son, former vice mayor Ramon “Monching” Durano V.
Last Thursday, the slate for the towns of Liloan, Tudela and Catmon were sworn in as One Cebu members.
Liloan is led by the governor’s son-in-law, Frasco, and runningmate, Vice Mayor Lucelito Pilapil; and Catmon is led by former mayor Estrella Aribal and runningmate, former vice mayor Angelito Rosales. (FREEMAN)