2 more Manila mayoralty bets file candidacy

Two mayoral aspirants in Manila – incumbent Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna and the sister of former 6th district Rep. Mark Jimenez – waited until the last day to file their certificates of candidacy at the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office.

Lacuna was with actor and Councilor Isko Moreno, who is his running mate, and the entire ticket of the Asenso Manileño party. They were accompanied by their supporters who wore yellow shirts.

Moments later, Jimenez’s sister Maria and her running mate, 5th district Councilor Robert Ortega, trooped to the Comelec office with their supporters, who mostly wore white shirts.

Lacuna, who is ending his third and final term as vice mayor, would be running against Ali, second son of Mayor Lito Atienza.

Lacuna is a lawyer and veteran politician compared to the 34-year-old former Taekwondo champion, who has never served an elected position in government.

Meanwhile, Genuine Opposition (GO) chose Sen. Alfredo Lim as its official mayoral bet. Fifth district Rep. Joey Hizon, who earlier announced intentions to run for mayor, would be Lim’s vice mayoral candidate.

If he becomes the city’s next mayor, Lacuna said he would put a premium on improving health services to Manileños and would copy the "Yellow Card" program of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay.