CEBU, Philippines — Former Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza is coming out of retirement to challenge incumbent Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan for the mayoralty race in the 2025 midterm elections.
Radaza and her “Team Deretso” filed their certificates of candidacy yesterday morning. Former Lapu-Lapu City legal officer Michael Dignos is Radaza’s runningmate.
Radaza said she was supposed to rest from politics but she could not ignore the call of the people for her to run again as mayor.
“Despite not showing an interest in running again, I am moved by the efforts coming from our loyal supporters, ordinary citizens, and even big tycoons who reached out and expressed their full support for my candidacy. After a series of consultations with my family, political leaders, and supporters - we have decided. It is now or never,” said Radaza.
Radaza lost to Chan during the 2022 local and national elections. Since her lost to Chan, the former congresswoman of Lapu-Lapu City Lone District has been away from the limelight and was never seen in any political events.
“Occasionally, I hear Oponganons shouting and screaming for freedom, justice, and equality. I hear the Oponganons screaming out and loud for the basic services and even the necessities that have long been deprived. Of course, I heard about the situation from afar. But I remained silent. Oponganons, let us get this chance to win and bring back what was lost,” Radaza said.
Team Deretso congressional aspirant Ryan Jay Yuson said that one of their advocacies is for the poor people to enjoy free medicines, among others. Yuson said it’s about time for the people of Lapu-Lapu City to unite for progress.
Team Deretso’s candidates for councilors are Edgardo Abing Abejo, Carolina Apa Acaba, Alan Jay Granada Amodia, Richard Catarinen Aparri, Rogelio Pelonio Aying, Arsenio Bering Berdin, Ferdinand Minion Cahilog, Delano Miguel Eviota, Eduardo Ramos Patalinjug, Ernesto Baclohan Tumulak, Teodulo Ngujo Ybañez, and Regina Potot Ybañez. — (FREEMAN)