Close fights between Benhur, Junie

CEBU, Philippines - It will be a “close fight” between incumbent Representative Benhur Salimbangon and former congressman, now Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr., in the May 9, 2016 congressional race in Cebu’s fourth district, according to Board Member Sun Shimura.

Shimura, 33, who was also elected mayor in Daanbantayan during his first try in politics, said he has witnessed how Salimbangon transformed the district through projects by concreting roads and bridges; providing medical, hospitalization, scholarship and livelihood assistance; and developing the port and government buildings, among others.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo visited most of Salimbangon’s projects before her term ended in 2010.

 “Daku kaayo’g kausaban, kauswagan sa distrito nga napakita sa term ni Cong. Benhur, I stood my grounds despite invitation of the other camp,” said Shimura during the 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

Salimbangon was first elected congressman in 2007 but the Supreme Court declared his opponent, Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, winner after the 2010 elections when Salimbangon was reelected.

 This qualifies Salimbangon for a fourth term in the coming elections.

Martinez, meanwhile, served 19 years as mayor of then municipality of Bogo and 11 years as congressman from 1987 to 1998. His wife, Clavel Asas-Martinez, succeeded him from 1998 to 2007. In the 1998 elections, Clavel defeated Salimbangon who was a PB member during the time.

 Junie took credit for jumpstarting economic activities in the sleepy town of Tabuelan when its present port and its present respectable municipal hall were built.

The same goes for the ports of Hagnaya and Santa Fe.  Then, observing that for a long time good roads were only from Cebu City up to Carmen town, Martinez lobbied with then Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Romulo del Rosario (who was married to a Fernan from Bogo) to include in a foreign-funded assistance program, the concreting of the road from Carmen to Hagnaya.

 Clavel also helped lobby for inclusion in a foreign-funded program the concreting of the road and bridges from Tabuelan to San Remigio, a project that saw actual implementation when she was no longer congresswoman. — (FREEMAN)