Ex-solon endorses wife-mayor as Derecho team's candidate

CEBU, Philippines- Former congressman Arturo Radaza endorsed his wife, incumbent Mayor Paz as the candidate of Derecho Team for the 2016 election, ending speculation of political rivalry for the same position between the two.

Arturo’s endorsement, done during the Derecho Team’s meeting at the Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, was a sign that the political rift was over, and Paz was thankful for the party’s support on her re-election bid in 2016.

"I would like to thank former congressman, my loving husband Boy Radaza for the trust and confidence in me. I would also like to thank the entire Derecho Team for your support," she told the crowd in acknowledgment of the endorsement.

Should she win in the election, Paz will be on her last term as mayor. She said she had drawn strength from her constituents and that her present administration had achieved and accomplished more than her people had asked for.

"My administration has advocated transparency and accountability that has gained the trust of investors and resulted in more investments generating more jobs," Paz said. “I believed I have served you well.”

Claiming as the first female mayor in the city, Paz said she will continue prioritizing the needs of women, children, youth and senior citizens. She said she wanted Oponganons to experience better life and, before she ends her last term, will see to it that more jobs will be created in the city.

"As the city progress and develop, I will see to it that not a single Oponganon will feel being left behind. I want every Oponganon to benefit from the fruits of a growing economy," said the mayor, as she and her husband urged residents to support Derecho Team. “I will continue to serve you well,” she said.

The Derecho Team also said it has a new slate of councilors after five of them ended their last term. Paz however decline to reveal the names of the group’s new batch of councilor bets.

The five who will end their term as city councilors are: Efren Herrera, Jhunrey Gestopa, Eddie Cuizon, Konsehal Floyd Pozon and Queenie Malingin- Amman.

City hall officials and thousands of people attended the Derecho Team event, including former supporters of businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr., a Liberal Party official and possible opponent of Paz for the mayoralty.

Pelaez will run for mayor for the third time, after being defeated twice by the Radaza couple in the 2010 and 2013 elections.

Pelaez' former supporters of the LP in Lapu-Lapu City, led by Joe Ycong, personally went to Mayor Paz and expressed interest to campaign for her in the 2016 elections.

Ycong, in an earlier statement, said they are in favor of Mayor Paz' as the standard bearer of LP since she is holding an office under the "equity of incumbent."  (FREEMAN)