CAGAYAN de Oro City Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin “Kikang” Uy welcomed the possibility of having Councilor Lordan Suan as his rival in the coming May 2019 elections.
Uy, in an interview, said that he is prepared to face anyone who also wants to seek the city's second highest post.
"No problem at all, bisan kinsa pwede kay ila man ng katungod, andam ta ana (anyone has a right, we are ready for that)," Uy said.
Uy also said he is sticking with Mayor Oscar Moreno, dismissing reports that he is talking with their party's political opponents.
He earlier confirmed that former Vice Mayor Ian Acenas visited him at his City Hall office but clarified that they did not discuss politics.
"Kung kinsay musulod sa opisina, atong i-entertain, kontra or amigo, dili nato balibaran, atimanon gayud nato (We entertain whoever visits our office, either friend or opponent, we take care of them)," he said.
Suan was repeatedly endorsed by Padayon Pilipino members to run for vice-mayor. A suggestion which Suan said he is willing to take if the party decides.
In the past, Suan and Uy already butted heads over job order appointments in the City Council. The vice-mayor has disclosed that Suan wants to appoint his family members as his job order employees.
Suan meanwhile questioned Uy's conduct and ethical standards for public employees before the Department of Interior and Local Government after the vice mayor allegedly failed to release the salary of Suan's two staffs.