Bagatsing declares candidacy

Former Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing announced yesterday his candidacy for the mayor’s seat in Manila, swelling the candidates for local chief executive in the city to four.

Bagatsing appears to have edged out former mayor Mel Lopez for the administration party’s endorsement, his handlers said.

Bagatsing, who lost in the 1998 elections to incumbent Mayor Lito Atienza, made the announcement following a meeting last night by the broad administration coalition party, People’s Power Coalition, naming him as its mayoral bet for the city. The coalition is composed of Lakas-NUCD, Aksyon Demokratiko, Promdi, a breakaway wing of the Liberal Party, and Kampi.

Lopez is still reportedly pursuing his plan to run for mayor under the administration party, sources said.

Bagatsing’s announcement of his candidacy brought to three the mayoral candidates in Manila. The other candidates are Mayor Atienza and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim. Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who earlier showed interest in the position, has declared that she is no longer interested in the post.

Bagatsing said he would again pick incumbent Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna as his running mate. Sources told The STAR that Lim might run with outgoing Manila District Six Rep. Sandy Ocampo while Atienza may have his city administrator Ernesto Dionisio as his vice-mayoral candidate.

Another vice-mayoralty aspirant is said to be City Council minority floor leader Roger Gernale. – Jose Aravilla