LP accepts Radaza as Lapu-Lapu chair

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza unveiled her slate for the 2016 elections and showed the certificate of nomination and acceptance she received from the national Liberal Party.

The CONA, which was signed by LP president Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya last September 22, effectively designated Radaza as city chair of LP.

The LP chairmanship was the same position claimed by businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr., a mayoralty aspirant who will run against the incumbent mayor for the third time.

The mayor said it was her daughter Aileen, city's Lone District Representative who brought the CONA,  when the latter arrived in the city from Manila Tuesday night.

The national LP's nomination of Radaza left the camp of Pelaez disappointed.

In a statement e-mailed to The Freeman, Pelaez said: "It is unfortunate that the LP leadership chose political expediency over standing firm with the principles it stood for, accommodating opportunists over apparent fixation of winning at all cost."

Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong will be Radaza's running mate. They will be joined by six incumbent councilors and six new others in their lineup.

Incumbent councilors who are seeking re-election are Melissa Vidal, Elias Berdin, Harry Radaza,  Eduardo Patalinghug, Leo Mercado and Roque Wagwag.

The new members of Radaza's councilor slate are Doctor Cipriano Flores, Damian Gomez and lawyers Flaviano Eyas Jr., Nelson Yap, Gregorio Paquibot Jr. and Ricardo Amores.

Gomez and Yap were former city councilors while Ricardo is the son of former mayor Rufo Jun Amores.

Ricardo is also the brother of Rufo Amores III, who was also reported to run for vice mayor in the city under the Movement for Better Lapu-Lapu group.

During Mayor Radaza's conference, she revealed it was incumbent councilor Francisco Senerpida who chose not to seek for re-election and backed out due to health reasons.

The half of the incumbent councilors who will end their term are Efren Herrera, Jhunrey Gestopa, Eddie Cuizon, Floyd Pozon and Queenie Malingin-Amman.

Former congressman Arturo Radaza were present as Mayor Paz declared the members of the slate yesterday.

Arturo, who was asked about the earlier rumors of conflict within the political team, said they were only "victims of intrigues," and that their group is "solid".

"Sa pulitika, daghang intriga pero ato lang na ipalapos sa dunggan," he told reporters.

The Derecho Team will file their certificates of candidacy (COC) on Friday, along with Congresswoman Aileen. (FREEMAN)