BUSINESSWOMAN Daphne Salimbangon was scheduled to get married next month, but the wedding will have to be postponed to next year after she agreed to be Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia’s (3rd district) running mate.
Salimbangon, daughter of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (4th district), filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice governor before the Cebu Provincial Election Office yesterday morning.
Salimbangon, 45, admitted that the decision to field her in the vice gubernatorial race was made only three days ago.
“I can’t say no to Cong. Gwen. She is like a mother to me,” Salimbangon said after filing her COC.
She also admitted that she became anxious when she heard that Gov. Hilario Davide III would be her opponent, but hoped the Cebuanos will consider her a worthy candidate for vice governor.
Garcia said she chose Salimbangon because of her integrity.
“Susama ka aktibo, ang energy, passion akong nakita kaniya. Ug labaw sa tanan, mao ni ang importante, kasaligan,” Garcia said.
Their partnership also shows how close their families are, Garcia added.
It is not the first time Salimbangon has sought an elective post. She ran for Bogo City mayor in 2013 and for councilor in 2016 but lost in both elections.
In a separate interview, Davide said his experience in public service gives him an edge, as well as the fact that he is the incumbent governor.
Still, he would not be complacent, he said. “Mangampanya gihapon ta. Maningkamot gihapon ta,” Davide added.
A third challenger for the governorship also filed his COC on the last day of filing yesterday.
Roliveth “Boyet” Cortes, a businessman and TV personality, filed his COC for governor, his third time to do so.
He ran for governor in two consecutive elections but lost. (JKV, With AZLG)