Alma is NPC bet for Parañaque mayor

An official of the National People’s Coalition (NPC) said yesterday that actress Alma Moreno has thrown her hat into the political arena and would push through with her plans to run for mayor in Parañaque City.

Dr. Rodolfo Punzalan, NPC Parañaque chapter chairman, told The STAR that Moreno, estranged wife of Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez, took her oath before their party’s president Frisco San Juan last Friday.

Moreno recently launched her movement "Alagaan at Mahalin (ALMA) ang Parañaque" which was attended by some 7,000 people.

Punzalan said he would act as her campaign manager if she chooses to run for city mayor.

"I saw that Ms. Moreno has the vision for Parañaque and she has the capability and winnability because she continues to enjoy the people of Parañaque’s support. About 80 percent of the Kababaihan of Alma Moreno that had supported Mayor Marquez have converted to the ALMA movement," Punzalan said.

The NPC official said residents still remember that when she was first lady of Parañaque, Moreno pushed for several clean and green projects and offered "Libreng Palibing Foundation" to constituents.

He was impressed with Moreno’s 12-point program centering on education, cleanliness, sanitation and the proposal to offer a Parañaque Health Card patterned after the Makati Health Plan.

He sees a three-corner mayoralty fight in Parañaque City involving Moreno, former mayor Pablo Olivares and incumbent Vice Mayor Florencio Bernabe.

Last Friday’s oath-taking was witnessed by Rick Golpeo, NPC executive director, Ambassador Ike Saldivar, executive director of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino.