GMA to run for reelection

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is seeking a third and final term as representative of Pampanga’s second district.

Her eldest son, Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, filed the certificate of candidacy (COC) on her behalf at the Commission on Elections office here.

Arroyo, who has been under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center on plunder charges, is running under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

Arroyo won by a landslide in the 2013 elections against Liberal Party (LP) candidate Adonis Simpao. It was not immediately known if anyone  will challenge Arroyo.

If Arroyo wins in May, she will be the only remaining Arroyo in Congress. Her son, Diosdado Ignacio “Dato” Arroyo is bowing out as representative of Camarines Sur’s second district.

Luis Raymond Villafuerte, former governor of the province, and Mayor Asuncio Arseño of Pasacao town are reportedly eyeing Dato’s seat.

Padaca allies

 Politicians identified with former governor Grace Padaca failed to get the endorsement of the LP for next year’s local elections.

Gamu town Vice Mayor Fernando Cumigad, who is running for mayor, said he filed his COC under the PDP-Laban because the LP has “endorsed someone else.”?

Isabela District 2 Rep. Ana Go, formerly of the Nacionalista Party, took her oath as LP member last month. Go, along with eight town mayors, were nominated as LP’s official candidates, leaving candidates identified with Padaca without a party.

“I have no idea on the status in the LP of former governor Padaca and her group,” Go told The STAR.

On her Facebook account, Padaca said many local LP members were unceremoniously dropped from the list of LP candidates without prior consultation or notice.

She cited the LP’s decision to “abandon one of its own for political convenience,” referring to Henry Bacurnay, undersecretary for external affairs at the office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr..

Bacurnay, former LP chairman in La Union, is running for governor as an independent candidate.

When asked if LP had dumped her, Padaca said, “I am not sure if I’m still LP because ever since my appointment as Comelec commissioner, I’ve been on leave from both LP and Kaya Natin. I’ve not resumed my prior status with either.” 

“I am not sourgraping. I am just echoing what many of those who in 2010 believed and helped in the tuwid na daan feel about finding out in the news that they’ve been replaced by the very people who badmouthed and campaigned against the tuwid na daan team,” she added. ??

Ortega clan

In La Union, at least 14 members of the Ortega clan filed their COC for various positions.

District 1 Rep. Victor Ortega, 83, is running for mayor in San Fernando City. His brother, incumbent mayor Pablo Ortega, is running for congressman in District 1.

Their younger brothers, Pepe and Ramon, are running for vice mayor and councilor. They are running against the sons of Gov. Manuel Ortega, Mannix and Alfred. The governor has endorsed his son, Abono party-list Rep. Emmanuel Ortega II, as his successor.

Massacre suspect

Maguindanao massacre suspect Sajid Islam Ampatuan, who was released on bail, will run for mayor of Shariff Aguak town in Maguindanao.

n Cotabato City, Muslimin Sema, chairman of the biggest faction of the Moro National Liberation Front, is set to file his COC for mayor today. His wife, Sandra, is seeking reelection as congresswoman of Maguindanao.

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario filed his COC for mayor of Samal Island. His son, Anthony, is running for governor.

Former Davao del Sur governor Douglas Cagas, who is detained for the killing of a journalist, is seeking reelection. His wife, District 1 Rep. Mercedes Cagas, filed the COC on his behalf.

Salonga’s son

Esteban Salonga, son of the late senator Jovito Salonga, on Monday filed his COC for governor of Rizal.

In Laguna, ousted governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito, a nephew of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, along with Councilor Niño Lajara, filed their COCs for governor and vice governor, respectively.

Remullas, Revillas

Cavite Gov. Juanito Victor Remulla and Vice Gov. Ramon Jolo Revilla are seeking reelection. Bacoor Mayor Strike Revilla filed his COC for congressman of the First District while actress Lani Mercado filed her COC for Bacoor City mayor.

In Pangasinan, Fourth District Rep. Gina de Venecia is seeking reelection. She filed her COC yesterday along with Dagupan Mayor Belen Fernandez, who is seeking another term.

On Monday, LP candidates Gavini Pancho and Jose Antonio Sy Alvarado, son of Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado, filed their COCs for congressman of the second and first districts of Bulacan, respectively. Meycauayan City Mayor Joan Alarilla also filed her COC for congresswoman of the Fourth District under the Nationalist People’s Coalition. – With Jess Diaz, Janvic Mateo, Raymund Catindig, Eva Visperas, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Jun Elias, Edith Regalado, Artemio Dumlao, Ed Amoroso, John Unson