Abalos, Eusebio face little-known foes

MANILA, Philippines - Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Pasig Mayor Robert Eusebio will face little-known personalities in next year’s elections.

At least three candidates will contest the mayoralty polls in Mandaluyong.

They are Elma Bondoc, independent; Ernest Albert Buan, Aksiyon Demokratiko; and Reynaldo Villoria of the Alpha Omega 9K Party.

“They are hardly known in the city,” a resident said. “We doubt if they have the campaign machinery to make a serious challenge on the incumbent mayor.”

In Pasig, Eusebio will face independent candidates Mario Bangasan, Lucila Hernandez, and Ismael Mejia.

In San Juan, mayoralty candidate Guia Gomez, mother of Mayor Jose Victor Ejercito, will run against Manuel Andraneda, Anton Angeles, Eduardo San Pascual and Chito Tamayo.

Marikina Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando will not seek re-election. She has decided to focus on the vice presidential campaign of her husband, former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando.

Running for Marikina mayor are Rep. Del de Guzman and Vice Mayor Marion Andres, both allies of the Fernandos. The two other candidates for mayor are Alexander Chung and Alfredo Cheng. – Non Alquitran