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Friday, March 30, 2007
Pacman vs Darlene in South Cotabato 1st district
By Allen V. Estabillo
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao made official Thursday his bid for the first congressional district of South Cotabato after he filed through his lawyer his candidacy for the post.
Pacquiao is running under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
The 28-year-old Pacquiao is running against incumbent Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio who personally filed her candidacy Wednesday under the opposition Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC)-Achievers with Integrity Movement (AIM).
Paquiao's lawyer, Franklin Gacal Jr., and leaders of his political vehicle People's Champ Movement (PCM) filed the boxing champ's certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Koronadal City at 1:30 p.m.
Gacal confirmed that Pacquiao bolted from the Liberal Party (LP)-Atienza wing, saying the former world boxing champion is running as the administration's official candidate.
Pacquiao, who took his oath last February 12 as a member of the LP, reportedly joined Kampi before he left for the US earlier this month.
Gacal said the Pacquiao's group would launch a huge campaign for him in this city Friday and in the municipalities of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan, which compose South Cotabato's first congressional district.
But he assured that Pacquiao, who is currently training in Los Angeles for his scheduled fight against Mexican Jorge Solis in San Antonio, Texas on April 14, would go home right after the fight to lead his own campaign.
"He is more than ready for this fight and we are confident that he will emerge victorious," said Gacal, who is himself running for vice mayor of this city under Kampi.
Former South Cotabato governor Hilario de Pedro III, who is gunning for the province's second congressional district under Kampi, said Pacquiao's entry into the administration slate further boosted their chances in the May 14 elections.
De Pedro said except for at least two municipalities, Kampi and administration ally Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats have fielded complete slates in the first and second districts of South Cotabato.
He said they have not endorsed any mayoral candidate in Banga and Tantangan towns, but added they have fielded complete council slates in these areas.
The administration camp has also failed to come up with a challenger for South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes, who is seeking reelection and who filed her candidacy under the NPC late Wednesday afternoon along with party mates Custodio of the first district, Arthur Pingoy Jr. of the second district, and Vice Governor Eliordo Ogena.
Former South Cotabato governor Ismael Sueno is running for vice governor under Lakas-Kampi.
In Koronadal City, Mayor Fernando Miguel filed his candidacy for mayor along with three-term councilor Edwin Abris as running mate under Kampi. They will be challenged by NPC's three-term Vice Mayor Jose Ledda and running mate Councilor Rebecca Bona.
Former mayor Vicente de Jesus, an NPC stalwart, is also running for vice mayor.
In General Santos City, Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. and Vice Mayor Florentina Congson of the NPC-AIM formalized their reelection bids Wednesday morning. They will be challenged by former mayor Rosalita Nunez and running mate Gacal of Lakas-Kampi.
Councilor Shirlyn Banas-Nograles, who was elected number one councilor in the 2004 elections under the NPC-AIM, is running for mayor as an independent. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (March 30, 2007 issue)
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