Veteran politicians lead admin ticket

SAME names dominating the political scene in Baguio City for the past two decades filed their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) early Wednesday morning.

Public service veterans including Representative Bernardo Vergara, Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas filed their COCs together with their lineup for the City Council composed mostly of incumbent and returning officials.

Incumbent Councilors Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Philian Weygan-Alllan, Fred Bagbagen, Elmer Datuin and ABC president Joel Alangsab, who joined the local coalition, also filed their COCs Wednesday.

Former Councilors Elaine Sembrano, Federico Mandapat and Edilberto Tenefrancia are also aiming to return by joining the ruling ticket.

Former village head Mabini Maskay, lawyers George Dumawing and Ron Perez and former police chief Roberto “Bungo” Ortega also joined the council slate of the local alliance.

Timpuyog Ti Baguio

Timpuyog Ti Baguio, the local alliance formed by Domogan and Vergara in the early nineties, bannered their Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance from the United Nationalist Alliance, a coalition under Vice President Jejomar Binay and former president Joseph Estrada.

Domogan said that although they were from different parties during previous elections, UNA recognized Timpuyog since many from Lakas-Kampi-CMD are now with Binay’s party.

The city mayor, a former stalwart of the former ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, claimed they have previously worked with Binay and Estrada but stressed they are also supporting the Aquino administration.

“In Baguio, political parties are not that strong, individual character and performance are still more important in the coming elections,” Domogan said.

The mayor said joining the national party entitles UNA and Timpuyog ti Baguio the sixth copy of the election returns as well as having poll watchers monitoring their votes.

The representative stressed they remain supportive of President Benigno Aquino III’s projects and will continue to implement them.

Vergara and Domogan are serving their first terms as mayor and congressmen and are seeking reelection for their second terms. Domogan previously served three-terms as congressman and also as mayor for three terms since 1992. Vergara was also a former mayor and three-term congressman.

Fariñas, meanwhile, is seeking for his third term as vice mayor under the Nacionalista party.

The mayor also panned criticisms of being traditional politicians branding these as political gimmickry and is common during election season.

“What is important is the voters in Baguio. They will judge us based on performance. We hope dirty politics will not come in,” Domogan said.

“In Timpuyog, mudslinging is not our style. Wala tayong makukuha kung puro paninira sa kapwa kandidato ang gagawin. It’s part of our policy not to participate in this mudslinging as every election that’s what they do to us. We will show them our unity and teamwork,” the mayor said.

Fariñas added their performance contributed to what Baguio is today and calls for their replacement can only be refuted by their track record and years of experience.

Timpuyog candidates donned green shirts to symbolize their growing concern for the environment.

“We are still young at heart yet at the same time mature to deliver services needed by the people,” the mayor said.

The mayor said that despite their many years in office, many things have to be done like sustaining the development and programs of the city particularly those on environment, infrastructure, health services, education, anti-poverty programs, peace and order, sports and the Metro-Baguio development.