Larrazabal is PMP's bet for Ormoc mayor

 ORMOC CITY, Philippines  — Marcos “Macoy” Larrazabal, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2010 under the LP, had filed his CoC, also for mayor but now under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino.

His slate also filed their CoCs after being proclaimed as official PMP candidates by Senator “Jinggoy” Estrada yesterday.

Before a crowd of around 500 supporters, Estrada also proclaimed as his candidate Vice Mayor Luis Kuizon Jr for mayor of Bato, Leyte and three others for councilors.

Asked if his endorsement of Larrazabal as PMP bet meant that he parted ways with Richard and Lucy Gomez, known to be among his closest friends, Jinggoy said “this is just politics.”

“I understand their position (remaining with LP) and they also understand my position,” he said. “We’re very good friends,” adding that Lucy is a godmother to one of his children. 

Former party member and incumbent City Councilor Claudio “Dudy” Larrazabal, on the other hand, also filed yesterday his CoC for city vice mayor, after hearing mass and a breakfast at the family-owned Ormoc Villa Hotel.

Macoy said he offered his uncle Dudy the PMP slot for vice-mayor but it was rebuffed, with the older Larrazabal preferring to run as “independent.”

Seven people filed their CoCs for councilor under the PMP banner: Macky Nazario, Kai Fernandez III, James Domino, Raquel Kaluza, Antonio Suarez, Esteban Laurente and Agapito “Yongyong” Pongos Jr.

Boie Gayo, campaign manager of Macoy, said the PMP will carry three of Richard Gomez’s councilors - Tommy Serafica, Mario Rodriguez and Gregorio Yrastorza III.   (FREEMAN)