NEXT year’s congressional race in Cebu’s third district is beginning to take shape now that two personalities confirmed their plan to run.
With Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd) running for governor next year, Tuburan Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante told SunStar Cebu that he is considering running for the third district congressional seat.
Lawyer Pablo John Garcia, who was the district’s congressman for two terms, is also planning to make a political comeback.
Diamante said some groups are urging him to run for the post as his influence with the mayors in Cebu could help him win. He is the president of the League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP) Cebu Chapter.
He is on his third consecutive term as mayor.
But Diamante said running for third district representative is just one of his options.
Another option, he said, is to run for Tuburan vice mayor.
His brother Danny, the incumbent vice mayor, will run for mayor.
“I am considering running for vice mayor but I’m not closing my doors,” Diamante added.
In a separate interview, Pablo John also confirmed his plan to run for third district representative.
When told about Diamante’s plan to run against him, Pablo John said he considers the Tuburan mayor a “worthy opponent.”
“I consider any opponent as a worthy opponent,” said Pablo John, who was third district representative from 2007 to 2013.
He ran for governor in 2013 but lost to Gov. Hilario Davide III, who lost to Gwen Garcia in 2010. (JKV)