3 candidates slug it out in Pasay mayoral polls

The election season started with fanfare in Pasay City yesterday with the city’s three mayoral bets filing their certificates of candidacy with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office at the city hall, well ahead of the deadline tomorrow.

Incumbent Mayor Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad was the first to file his certificate at 10 a.m., accompanied by his running-mate Councilor Tony Calixto and their complete slate for the city council. They will run under the Laban ng Demoktratikong Pilipino party.

Mayoral aspirant Vice Mayor Greg Alcera came next at 1 p.m. with his running-mate, Vice Mayoral bet Danny Roque, a businessman, and their slate for the city council under the Lakas-NUCD People Power Coalition party.

Alcera’s group also came with a band of musicians and parade of supporters who brandished colorful streamers.

Last to file his candidacy was Ricardo "Ding" Santos, a former police captain and bodyguard of long-time and now deceased Mayor Pablo Cuneta, who did not file his certificate personally but was represented by his lawyer, Rey Bagatsing, also a former city councilor, and his daughter, Richie.

Santos and his running Joji Claudio, son of recalled Mayor Jovito Claudio, will run under the PDP-Laban party and also have a complete slate that will vie for the 14 seats in the city council. – Rainier Allan Ronda