Incumbent Governor Lilia Pineda filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice governor, under the provincial slate of her son Vice Governor Dennis Pineda who will run for governor, at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in the City Of San Fernando.
The mother-and-son tandem filed their COCs at 3 p.m. on Friday flanked by supporters under the Kabilan Party as well as mayors and other politicians from recently forged alliances. Incumbent Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab also filed her COC for second district board member.
Present during the filing were Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, Magalang Mayor Malu Lacson, Porac Mayor Condralito dela Cruz, Guagua Mayor Dante Torres, mayoralty aspirant Jun Tetangco, Board Members Fritzie-David, Rosve Henson, and Cherry Manalo among others.
Governor Pineda is the chairman of the provincially-dominant political party Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan). Kambilan is a Kapampangan word which means “Kalasag” in Filipino and “shield” in English.
Some 19 town and three city mayoralty seats and dozens of local government positions, from board members, municipal councilors, and vice- mayors will be contested in the province in the midterm polls. The performance of candidates identified with or who under the party of incumbent allies in the midterm elections is usually perceived as a vote of confidence, or otherwise, on the current provincial administration.
Also present in the filing were fourth district allies of Fourth District Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc. The Pinedas had recently forged alliances with the Bondocs under the “Team Unity” slogan of the Kambilan. Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. have also expressed his support for the unity initiative as he publicly pledge support for Vice-Governor Pineda’s run for governor.
Vice Governor Pineda told reporters that the current political unity will do the province a lot of good as the provincial and district leaderships can now work more closely on programs and projects. He added that he will be continuing the legacy programs of his mother as well as institute more programs and services for Kapampangans if given a chance to serve.
“It is now up to the Kapampangans to decide,” Pineda said, adding that their track record for their past terms in office will speak of how they have served the Kapampangans.
Governor Pineda said she is confident her son will lead the province well. The elder Pineda said her son will continue what she has started.
Given the chance to serve as vice governor, Governor Pineda said she will advance more laws that will benefit senior citizens and persons with disabilities. While there are national laws for the seniors, there is still the need to have concrete programs for the well-being of senior citizens, she said.