Erap lawyer running for Cagayan de Oro congressman

The lawyer of detained former President Joseph Estrada is facing an outgoing councilor in the second district congressional race in Cagayan de Oro City.

Former immigration commissioner Rufus Rodriguez, who is running under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), is pitted against Benje Benaldo, the congressional candidate of the pro-administration Padayon Pilipino Movement.

In the city’s mayoralty race, it will be a rematch between Rep. Constantino Jaraula and former mayor Pablo Magtajas. Incumbent Mayor Vicente Emano is eyeing the vice mayoral post this time.

"This is return bout," Jaraula told The STAR. Magtajas lost to Jaraula in the 1998 congressional race.

Rodriguez, who also served as Estrada’s spokesman, has the support of the Genuine Opposition and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, while his opponent has the full backing of the administration party.

In the first district congressional race, Vice Mayor Michele Tagarda Spers is pitted against opposition candidate Antonio Tony Soriano.