IT REMAINS unclear who will the opposition party field as their mayor, but initial reports say that the 3 political parties - Padayon Pilipino, Centrist Democratic Party and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas will unite to create a team which will challenge Mayor Oscar Moreno's team.
Asked to comment on the reported alliance, Moreno said he sees no problem with it, saying he is confident with his ticket and that their "record will loudly speak for ourselves."
"Nag-uban siguro silang tulo kay maglisod sila (Maybe they joined forces because it will be hard for them) if they will stand alone, but we are standing tall and alone, but with the people behind us," Moreno said in a press conference Friday during the announcement of the local PDP-Laban administration ticket.
Moreno's official candidates include Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy, Rep. Rolando Uy for the 1st District, and Councilor Yan Lam Lim for congressman in the 2nd District.
For the first district, the list includes Councilors Zaldy Ocon, Jay Pascual, Romeo Calizo, Edna Dahino, Reuben Daba, George Goking, Jun Daba, and Roger Abaday. For district 2, the candidates are Dr. Malou Gaane, Suzette Magtajas-Daba, Ian Mark Nacaya, Eric Salcedo, Teodolfo Lao, Ed Cabanlas, Andrew Melliza, and Girlie Balaba.
"We did not form the lineup para iparang sa pikas (to challenge the opposition), we formed this because this is the team that will serve the people, we are in a democracy so it’s expected that there will be people who will challenge us. This team is service-oriented, each has talents and skills but if you combine them, this is exactly what we need a basket of talents and skills in governance," Moreno said.
Among the new names presented, one stood out- Girlie Balaba, a former media personality in Davao who is said to be a close friend of President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Halos kitang tanan close sa Presidente (Almost all of us are close to the President)," Balaba said when asked to confirm his closeness with Duterte.
Moreno described Balaba a true Kagay-anon who grew up in barangay Nazareth.
"She wants to serve, I can see that her sincerity is very clear, she wants to contribute in the city's services," Moreno said of Balaba.