FORMER three-term mayor Jayson "Dr. J" Sagum filed his certificate of candidacy before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last Wednesday, October 17, in a bid to reclaim the position of local chief executive in the agricultural town of San Luis.

Sagum, together with his wife former Fourth District Congresswoman Anna York P. Bondoc-Sagum, son Benjamin Jayson and aspiring councilors Agustina Suarez, Jesus Cruz, Erwin Clarin, Allan Estacio, Bryan Taruc, Edilberto Mangulabnan and Elpidio Mangalus trooped to the Comelec office during the last day of filing of COCs.

Sagum and his councilors were accompanied by hundreds of supporters from various sectors and were warmly welcomed by municipal employees who took time to shake their hands while shouting "Ang pagbabalik ni Dr. J!".

Sagum thanked his supporters and friends who accompanied his Team who are the official candidates of Kambilan-PDP Laban in San Luis.

"I wish to thank our supporters. They can expect quality services and projects," he said.

Sagum, who is currently the number one councilor, was the youngest elected local chief executive who served as mayor for three terms. He is known as “the doctor of the masses.”

He regularly conducted visits to his constituents by giving them medical treatment at home and providing free medicines. After his term as mayor, he took up a course in engineering at a well known university and is now a licensed engineer.

Sagum said that his team will support the official standard bearer of the Kambilan-PDP Laban, gubernatorial candidate Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda, runningmate Governor Lilia Pineda, re-electionist Fourth District Congressman Juan Pablo Bondoc, and board members Pol Balingit and Nelson Calara.

Sagum will be going up against incumbent Vice-Mayor Junior Salas. Outgoing three term Mayor Venancio Macapagal will be running for a seat in the Sanggunian Bayan. (Chris Navarro)