Misamis Oriental guv won’t resign

MAYORALTY candidate Governor Oscar Moreno formalized his bid in the 2013 polls and filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the city Commission on Elections office on Wednesday.

He also said he will not resign as governor of Misamis Oriental, citing that filing his COC does not resolve termination of the term.

“I will serve the people of Misamis Oriental until the end of my term,” he said.

CAGAYAN DE ORO. Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno (right), who is running for mayor of Cagayan de Oro in next year’s elections under Liberal Party, and vice mayoralty candidate Councilor Edgar Cabanlas (left) show off their certificates of candidacy after filing at the city Commission on Elections Wednesday. (Joey P. Nacalaban)

CAGAYAN DE ORO. Thousands of supporters join Governor Oscar Moreno’s team as they marched from the St. Augustine Cathedral toward the city Comelec. (Joey P. Nacalaban)

Earlier, incumbent Mayor Vicente Emano questioned the legality of Moreno’s status as governor when he filed his transfer of registration and residency to Cagayan de Oro from Balingasag in Misamis Oriental.

But Moreno said the issue against him by the camp of Emano is a sign of fear.

Aside from Moreno, vice mayoralty candidate Councilor Edgar Cabanlas also filed his candidacy papers along with Tito Mora, Eileen San Juan, Candy Darimbang, Merly Adaza, Egay Uy, Boboy Daba and Zaldy Ocon, who are eyeing for City Council seats in the first district; and Ching Roa, Nixon Baban, Bong Lao, Eric Salcedo, Ingrid Agudo, Rodrigo Villasorda and Cocong Quiblat who will run as city councilors in the second district.

Darimbang vowed to help Moreno in making changes in the city, especially for women.

Daba said he decided to run because he wants to upgrade the city-run J.R. Borja Memorial Hospital for the residents to have security in health care services.

Moreno’s group was accompanied by first district congressional candidate, Carmen village chief Rolando Uy, who earlier filed his COC on Tuesday through his representative.

Uy said his only hope is for next year’s elections to be clean and transparent.

Thousands of supporters also accompanied Moreno’s team, who were wearing yellow T-shirts, as they marched toward the city Comelec.

Meanwhile, incumbent Representative Rufus Rodriguez (second district, Cagayan de Oro), accompanied by his family, silently filed his COC for reelection Wednesday without fanfare. (With reports from Nicole J. Managbanag)