LP to field ‘powerhouse block’ vs PaDayon Pilipino

MISAMIS Oriental Vice Governor Norris Babiera of Liberal Party (LP) bared Monday a “powerhouse block” that could reportedly give the alliance of PaDayon Pilipino founder, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano, a grand competition in next year’s elections.

Babiera said the line-up was finalized after LP members in Misamis Oriental, including the 17 incumbent municipal mayors such as Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie Gingona and 1st District Representative Peter Unabia, gathered last Saturday.

“I apologize to the media for not inviting them in the gathering. We made the meeting off the press to respect the suggestion of the officials to avoid premature announcements,” he told Sun.Star.

Among the candidates for provincial board members in the 1st District are incumbent Board Members Jabi Bernaldez and Benedict Lagbas; lawyers Vincent Pelaez and Mitchelle Anayron, and Agnes Lee.

For the 2nd District, the candidates are incumbent board member Emmanuel Mugot; lawyers Jude Sabio and Ramil Carreon; Erwin Adaza, son of former Misamis Oriental Governor Atty. Homobono Adaza; and incumbent board member Boris Actub, son of the late Provincial Board Member Oliver Actub.

However, Actub’s appointment as Provincial Board member replacing his father is still pending until now after it was allegedly blocked by Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano (2nd District).

Babiera said the candidate for vice governor will be former Provincial Board member Wayne Militante while incumbent Provincial Board member Jesus Jardin will be the congressional candidate for the 2nd district.

For Cagayan de Oro, Governor Oscar Moreno has already announced his plan of running against Emano in the mayoralty seat.

During the gathering, Unabia called on the municipal mayors to support Babiera as LP’s gubernatorial bet.

Meanwhile, Babiera said that Unabia wanted to align his agenda with that of the Aquino government.

“Actually, Rep Unabia wanted to join LP long ago. Our negotiation started as early as three months after the 2010 elections,” he said. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)