FORMER Villanueva, Misamis Oriental town mayor Julio Uy is challenging anew the re-election bid of Governor Yevgeny “Bambi” Emano in the 2019 elections.
Uy has Provincial Board member Jigjag Pelaez as runningmate.
Uy filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, October 16 together with his wife Juliette, who is seeking a third and final term as the province's second district representative.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Joey Pelaez has left the administration group and joined Uy as he bids for a congressional seat for the first district.
The opposition ticket for the provincial board includes Jabi Bernaldez, Junjun Lagbas, Jerry Kho, and lawyer Dante Rio for the first district; and Boris Actub, Paquito Mortola, Rey Paduganan, Lawyer Angel Lim and Jessa Mugot for the second district.
The Uy couple is running under the National Unity Party (NUP) while the Pelaez family members are still with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
Julio Uy said he is challenging Emano for the second time because he wants to give the people of the province an alternative choice.
"Dugay-dugay na ang mga Emano nagdumala sa lalawigan busa naghangyo kita sa katawhan nga sulayan kita para makita ug matandi ang serbisyo para sa kalamboan sa probinsya," he said.
(The Emanos have served the province for a long time. We are asking voters in the province to give us a chance to serve so they could compare the quality of services rendered.)
"Halos wala nay manukol sa mga Emano busa giaghat ko ang team unity nga unta magmugna sa grupo kay walay pili-ay kung walay mandagan unya kung usa ra modagan walay mapilian sa katawhan," he added.
(Almost nobody have the courage to challenge the Emanos that is why I have urged the creation of a united opposition. There is no election if only one candidate runs.)
He said other political groups tried to forge ties with them but all failed except the alliance forged with the Pelaezes a month ago.
Uy said the Padayon Pilipino also sent an emissary to supposedly negotiate not to challenge the administration in the elections.
"Ang ilang tinguha nga wala kunoy kontrahay pero nakita nako nga dili mana magmalampuson busa wala ko na lang tagai sa importansya," he said.
(I told them that an election would not be successful if there are no opposing parties. I did not give it much thought.)