PB Sitoy: Health issues will not hinder plans to run for mayor

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy has made it clear that his ailments will not stop him from seeking the mayoralty post in Cordova town in the 2016 elections.

Sitoy made the statement in response to a published column in a local daily, not The FREEMAN, that he might withdraw his bid due to health reasons.

He clarified that he resigned on Monday as PB majority floor leader and chairman of the committee on complaints and investigation because he is no longer a member of the Liberal Party and not due to his health.

He added that he would also confer with the minority and consider the possibility of becoming a leader of the bloc.

The board member is currently confined in a private hospital in Cebu City after he was diagnosed to have kidney cyst.

He was admitted Monday evening, just hours after he attended the PB’s regular session where he was supposed to announce his resignation.

He, however, said in a phone interview with reporters that the cyst is benign, but he could not be operated upon because he underwent a bypass surgery earlier this year after suffering from a mild heart attack.

In 2004, he also suffered from a mild stroke when he was mayor of Cordova and was followed by another stroke in 2008 that left his left arm and leg paralyzed. But despite these, Sitoy said he can still be a good mayor.

Sitoy, who still has a term left as PB member, will be running against his sister, incumbent Cordova Vice Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho in the mayoralty race.

Sitoy jumped ship to the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) because he said is comfortable with the party.

When asked in a previous interview who between the gubernatorial bets, Governor Hilario Davide III and Winston Garcia of One Cebu, will be getting his support, he said he may support the latter who is his friend.  (FREEMAN)