Jumping to another wagon: Radaza gets backing of rival’s supporters

CEBU, Philippines – A group of barangay leaders who used to be allied to Efrain Pelaez Jr. pledged its support to the reelection bid of Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza in the 2016 elections.

Around 30 barangay officials went to the City Hall Wednesday afternoon to meet Radaza and Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong and to discuss their campaign plans for next year.

Joe Ycong, spokesperson of more than 700 campaign leaders of Liberal Party in the city, told reporters they have seen improvements and positive changes under Radaza’s administration.

“Ni-follow mi sa chain of command. Wala mi nakita nga issue ni Ma’am Paz kay nakakita mi og kalamboan sa Lapu-Lapu ubos sa iyahang administrasyon,” he said.

Even if Pelaez and Radaza are both running under the LP ticket, Joe said they are supporting the latter based on the “equity of the incumbent” principle. Radaza, he said, should be the standard-bearer since she is holding the highest position in the city.

Joe said their group campaigned for Pelaez when he ran for the second time as mayor in 2013. The first time he ran was in 2010. In both instances, however, Radaza won.

Joe said without elaborating that Pelaez is effective as a businessman but not as a leader.

Sought for comment, Pelaez told The FREEMAN that the barangay leaders who have jumped to Radaza’s wagon have been replaced by new set of campaign officials as early as 2014.

“We have already replaced them since last year. Last June of 2014 pa na  sila. Ila ra nang gi-drama gahapon (Wednesday) kay naa may kaso sa garbage so naghimo sad sila og presscon,” Pelaez said.

On Wednesday, Pelaez filed charges of violation of the Clean Air Act and Solid Waste Management Act against Radaza and 11 barangay leaders before the Office of the Visayas Ombudsman. He claimed that the present administration is not properly addressing the garbage problems of the city.

Pelaez also said the barangay leaders who have joined Radaza’s camp were “expelled” from his team last year because they kept asking for money.

“We don’t need these leaders. They are only looking for money. We cannot trust them, that is why they have gone back to Paz,” he said.

Radaza, for her part, was thankful for the group’s support.

“Dakong pasalamat nako sa ilahang pagsalig sa akoa. Sa pagkakaron, nag-review nalang mi sa mga serbisyo nga ihatag sa siyudad. Atong paningkamutan nga ang tanang panginahanglan sa tawo, atoang mahatag,” she said.