Tacloban mayor's group has no vice mayor bet

TACLOBAN City Mayor Alfred Romualdez formally introduced the newcomers and incumbent city councilors running under his slate but choose not to have a vice mayoralty candidate for the 2013 elections.

Candidates who are incumbents are Councilors Edwin Chua, Cristina Gonzales–Romualdez, Willy Domingo, Jeric Dane Granados and Edward Frederick Chua, while new comers are Maria Elvira Casal, Victor Emmanuel Villasin Domingo, Idelberto Bernadas, Chrysanthemum Malate, Robert Yap, and Robert Cecillia.

During the “I love Tacloban” press conference at the Balyuan Convention Center, Mayor Romualdez said they choose to not to field the vice mayoralty position since they do not want to add tension and excitement to that race.

“We decided not to fill for the vice mayor position because we are open to the existing candidates for it,” he said.

He said there are “talks” going on for that position.

He also said that the consensus of their allies implies that they go for the candidacy of their former political ally who chooses to run for the vice mayoralty position.

“I have heard of supporting our former ally despite of our difference which later on can be set aside,” he said, referring to Councilor Jerry Yaokasin, who is running an independent vice mayor candidate.

Likewise, he admitted that he will support Yaokasin’s candidacy if they jive with their plans for the city.

Aside from Yaokasin, Romualdez also said that he is willing to listen to Vice Mayor Arvin Antoni so they will see the “better performance and cooperation between the city legislative and executive branches of the government.”

Meanwhile, Councilor Cristina Romualdez, wife of the mayor, has been considered for the position, but Mayor Romualdez said she refused because they have to prioritize their family.

Another option is Traffic Operations Management Enforcement and Control Office (Tomeco) head Salvador Estudillo.

Mayor Romualdez, meantime, said that he will not follow with the “trapo (traditional politicians) campaign style” of his political opponents.

He said he wants transparency and focus on the programs for the betterment of the city. “We have no time for personal quarrels.” (Leyte Samar Daily Express)