Naga mayor plans to retire in 2016

CEBU, Philippines - City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong will leave politics after his term ends in 2016.

“I also have to rest,” Chiong said.

The third-term mayor broke the news at City Hall during the recent Christmas Party.

Chiong said he will endorse his only daughter, lawyer Kristine Chiong, as the party’s mayoralty bet in 2016, while his older brother, Councilor Othelo Chiong, will be her running mate.

The 53-year-old mayor said Vice Mayor Delfin Señor and party mates agree with this decision and that Señor has agreed to run for councilor.

In past elections, Chiong, who has been considered as Alayon’s backbone in Naga, was earlier egged on to run for Congress, but according to the mayor the position does not appeal to him.

Those who have heard about his plan to retire want him to run for a provincial board seat, but Chiong, albeit he admitted not closing doors to any opportunity, said his “first priority” after his term ends is “to rest.”

Chiong succeeded his brother-mayor Ferdinand in 2006, when the latter died of cancer.

In the succeeding election years, he won and became the first city mayor of  Naga. (FREEMAN)