ARMED with the lessons he learned from his defeat in the 2016 elections, former mayor Rene Maglanque of this town is seeking to stage a comeback as chief executive of Candaba.
Maglanque, together with his whole Team Serbisyung Malugud mayoralty slate, beat the Commission on Elections’ deadline in filing the certificates of candidacy after successfully submitting all requirements a little past 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 17.
Joined by his supporters in red shirts, Maglanque started his day with a mass followed by a simple program to re-introduce himself, his mayoralty slate and the platforms he is bringing before the he officially sealed his bid for mayoralty comeback.
Not a stranger to public service, Maglanque had served the positions of town councilor in 1992 to 1995, provincial board member in 1998-2001, assistant secretary of then Department of Transportation and Communications from 2001 to 2003, and mayor of this town in 2013 to 2016.
If given a chance to comeback, Maglanque said that he will put his priority anew on constructing high roads in the municipality. Being the catch basin of floodwaters of Central Luzon, Maglanque said that flood is inevitable for his town, and elevating the roads will provide continuous access and delivery of services to flood-affected villages in times of calamity.
“We are Candaba, the catch basin of flood waters, as many know, and it has been my priority to upgrade our roads here. This took huge political will because not all are in favor ot it but we need it. Our town needs it to avoid being isolated in times of deep flooding and continue delivering public service, especially relief operations, to the people,” he explained.
Maglanque recalled all the major roads in this town, particularly in the flood-frequented Poblacion area, which were all upgraded and concreted during his three-year stint as mayor in 2013.
“In the past years, although we have experienced super typhoons, yes, some houses were flooded but roads remained passable which gave quick access to the people who conducted relief and evacuation operations. If we did not upgrade the roads then, we could have been trapped in a waterworld again,” he said.
Also, Maglanque said that he aims to continue his “postponed programs and dreams” for Candaba which include a municipal college and scholarship grants for the youth, the leveling-up of the Candaba Community Hospital, development of the agriculture sector and more infrastructure projects if given a chance by Candabeños again.
Not confident
While being the candidate of Partido Laban Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Kapanalig at Kambilan Memalen Pampangan (Kambilan) coalition is a huge boost to his fight for the mayoralty seat, Maglanque said that he still does not want to be confident.
“I was confident of my success last elections, with all the work I have done for my town and fellow Candabeños, mostly visible to their eyes. But I came home defeated, heartbroken but I accepted it and respected their decision,” he said.
Maglanque said he took his time off on politics well, spent time with his family and reorganized his construction business, but the clamor of “unsatisfied” Candabeños started.
And as he heeds the call of his fellow Candabeños, Maglanque said he will always bring in his heart and mind the lessons he learned from his experiences in the last two years.
“There is no permanent ally or opponent in politics. I once became the rival of Congressman Rimpy Bondoc. In 2016, I was not included in the roster of KAMBILAN headed by our Governor Nanay Pineda. I have councilors who were not with me before but decided to join me now. And we are all united now and I can never be more grateful to them for helping me in my bid to provide service to my people. Together, with my Governor-to-be Dennis Pineda and Congressman Rimpy Bondoc and the whole Team Serbisyung Malugud, we will provide the service deserved by Candabeños,” Maglanque said.