Paz stalls slate declaration after candidate’s back out

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza declined to reveal her complete councilor slate under Derecho Team after an incumbent official in her group backed out a few days before the filing of candidacy for the 2016 elections.

Radaza, in a recent press conference, said her councilor withdrew due to health reasons.

“I am supposed to announce my line up today (Thursday). But one of my councilors backed out because of health reasons,” Radaza told reporters in her recent news conference.

Refusing to name the councilor, Radaza told reporters in jest that she welcomes the possibility of businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr. joining her team.

“(This is) my battlecry: Sa good governance magkuyog ‘tang tanan. If he wants to join our council slate, he is welcome,” she said, referring to Pelaez, who has been vocal about running against Radaza in the race to the mayoralty post.

Pelaez, however, found the offer “ridiculous.”

“We will fight until the end to replace the Radazas. Dili ta magbalhin-balhin, magpaling-paling og kuyog bisan kinsa. They have taken advantage of the position,” Pelaez said.

“LP versus LP lang gihapon. Lunod Patay versus Likay Priso! No way we will ever have alliance with the Radazas,” he added.

Radaza and Pelaez, both supporting the Liberal Party, each claimed they are the city’s LP standard bearers.

Pelaez further said it would be better if he becomes the mayor and Radaza a councilor.

“Mas maayo siya na lang mag-councilor, ako nalang mayor kay mas angayan ko niya. Daghan man siya mga criminal case so she will have more time to defend herself,” Pelaez said.

According to Joe Ycong, spokesperson of more than 700 individuals who are former supporters of Pelaez but have shifted to Radaza, the incumbent mayor is LP’s standard bearer in the city, citing the principle of “equity of the incumbent” principle.

“Bilib ko ni Mr. Pelaez sa iyahang pagka-negosyante, sa pagdala og kalamboan sa negosyo pero sa pi-pila ka buwan namong pagkuyog-kuyog niya sa politika sauna, wa gyud mi nibilib. Dili siya maayo nga political leader,” Ycong said.

Last September 27, former congressman Arturo Radaza endorsed her wife Paz  as  a  candidate   of   Derecho Team for the 2016 elections, ending speculations of mayoralty rivalry between the couple.

Arturo and Paz urged the Oponganons to support the team for they have reportedly advocated transparency and accountability.

Derecho Team’s has a new slate of councilors since city councilors Efren Herrera, Jhunrey Gestopa, Eddie Cuizon, Floyd Pozon and Queenie Malingin-Amman are all ending their term of office next year. The mayor, however, refused yet to disclose the identity of the new candidates.  — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)