Mar image in coffin, ‘Kamatayan’ symbolize Pelaez breakup with LP

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City mayoralty aspirant and businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr. officially disbanded from the Liberal Party yesterday and declared the Nationalist People’s Coalition as his new group.

“We decided to join another group, and we are going to follow (Senator) Grace Poe and campaign for her because we believe she is untainted, sincere. We will be joining the Nationalist,” Pelaez said while showing his certificate of nomination and acceptance.

Pelaez signed NPC’s CONA in a press conference at a coffee shop inside a mall in Barangay Ibo, together with his vice mayoralty candidate lawyer Rodulfo Taneo and congressional aspirant Rafael Rene Espina Jr.

Pelaez called their group NPC-Krusada Kontra Kurapsyon.

His recent breakup with LP came after the party’s national officials chose incumbent Mayor Paz Radaza as their standard bearer in Lapu-Lapu.

Radaza revealed her complete slate on Wednesday and showed her CONA signed by LP president Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya last September 22.

Pelaez admitted he was disappointed with LP’s decision, recalling that he helped in the campaign of LP’s national candidates in the past elections.

He, however, explained that the sudden shift of political party on the last day of filing of COCs was not an overnight decision.

“In 2010, I was already invited, in case we were ready to join them (NPC). In fact, not only them but the group of people close to Manny Villar as well. However, at that time, my heart was set for joining President Aquino and Mar Roxas,” Pelaez said.

He added that it was Cebu Fifth District Representative Joseph Ace Durano who immediately took care in processing his CONA with NPC.

He was able to receive the certificate right in time, he said, adding that their oath-taking as NPC members will follow after the COC filing.

“But we promise that we are as ardent, as persevering and as dedicated to our new party as we were in Liberal Party,” he assured.

Meanwhile, Espina, who is the son of the former Cebu Governor Rene Espina, aims to transform Lapu-Lapu City into a financial center. The older Espina, it can be recalled, was among government officials instrumental to the construction of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

“Mosulod ang tanan business, mosamot kadaghan ang business, molambo ang wages nato dinhi,” the aspiring congressman said.

As an environmental advocate, Espina also said he wants to plant trees in the city to fight the effects of climate change.

Taneo, for his part, shared that he also wants to fight for good governance and to end corruption.

Pelaez yesterday presented his complete councilor slate which he described as “untainted and does not have traces of corruption charges.”

His councilors are Thelma Jumao-as, Nefretere Cabrillas, Marcelina Magno, Maria Consuelo Verga, Philmore Amodia, Jembo Sombilon, Leopoldo Amit, Wilma Sauro, Mario Marigomen, Melvin  Waslo, Alfredo Berame and Moises Hambunan.

After signing the acceptance certificates from NPC, the group’s members then tore down yellow-colored papers bearing Pelaez’ image symbolizing their freedom from LP.

The group also presented a black coffin with a yellow cross, inside of which was the image of LP presidential bet Mar Roxas together with a man dressed as “Kamatayan.”

At around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, the NPC-KKK group then proceeded to the Commission on Elections office at the City Hall to formally file their respective candidacies. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)