Sunday, March 25, 2007 Emano to declare lineup next week By Stephen Capillas
CITY Mayor Vicente Emano said he would definitely declare his lineup for both Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental sometime next week, with the latest being Thursday, which is the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy.
During last Wednesday's final program for the government owned dxIM radio network, Emano said he will hold a last meeting with Opol town Mayor Dixon Yasay along with Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno on Saturday.
This is in order to convince him to run as vice governor under the Padayon-Pilipino-Lakas coalition banner. "Even if he already signed a manifesto supporting Misamis Oriental Second District Representaive Augusto Baculio, this is the last meeting," he said.
When asked whether he would endorse Moreno as the gubernatorial candidate in the upcoming elections, Emano replied that, "it may be headed towards that direction."
However, local political pundits remain skeptical, saying the mayor may announce a last minute bid for the province's gubernatorial post.
Emano said he had called on the governor to make his own lineup for the province sometime soon.
The mayor said in the event Yasay runs for re-election, there are other viable candidates for the vice gubernatorial post, including Sugbongcogon town Mayor Benedict Lagbas and Provincial Board Member Norris Babiera.
Emano earlier voiced lament over Vice Governor Julio Uy's insistence that he was promised by the mayor a shot at the congressional seat of Misamis Oriental's second district.
"I am calling on Uy to prove his contention and I will tell my son (Tagoloan Mayor Yevgeny Emano) to withdraw his bid for the second congressional district immediately," Emano said.
The son of former governor Antonio Calingin, Paul Andrew "Andy" Calingin, filed his certificate for candidacy for the province's second congressional district, a move commended by the younger Emano.
The second congressional district is seen as a four-way fight, with Calingin, the younger Emano, Baculio's son Rex and Uy expected to contest the post.
In Cagayan de Oro, Emano stoked the fires of speculations for a vice-mayoralty run when he pointed out that if elected as vice-mayor, he doesn't need to preside or chair the council sessions.
The mayor is expected to go up against Councilor Alvin Calingin of the political opposition for the city's number two post.
