BOGO City mayoral candidate Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung said that her decision to run is not a fulfillment of an ambition but a sacrifice because she has a family and businesses to manage.
Yesterday was Yeung’s first public appearance in a sortie, after issuing an earlier statement that she will not campaign for fear of her security.
She will be challenging incumbent Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr.
Yeung however said that her decision not to campaign had changed when the Supreme Court (SC) issued a decision in favor of former Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez III.
Although, her brother, Rep. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu Province,4th district) still sits in Congress because of the two pending motions of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) at the SC, she said that she pities her brother.
Believing that God is with her all the time, she said she does not fear anymore.
She said that Salimbangon has accomplished so much in his first term of office and had implemented projects, which the Martinezes have failed to deliver in the last 20 years.
If there’s a need, she is also in favor of placing Bogo under the Commission on Elections control.
Known for her charity works for 20 years under the Mariquita Salimbangon – Yeung Foundation, Yeung said she wants to do her best in helping the poor.
“I will do my best kay ang tanan intawng mga kabus expect help from me. So, my first priority will be them. I’ll make sure every household will have food on their table. In fact, ako pa-survey unsa problema sa bukid – basic needs. Wala’y dalan, wala’y tubig,” she told reporters.
If Bogo residents who have asked her to run will come in one force, she said she will be a mayor who has a mother’s heart.
“Dili mayor nga kahadlokan. It’s not me. I want them to come to me if ever they have problems. Unsa ilang kahimtang? Gusto ko mahibaw unsa’y ilang kahimtang,” she said.
Yeung said she will not claim her salary.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia who was at the rally agreed that Yeung’s candidacy is a sacrifice.
Garcia said Yeung was a very reluctant candidate at first but she is the candidate, to which “everybody agrees can bring about change in the political leadership.”
“I think it’s a big sacrifice on her part but she has chosen to sacrifice. And as I said earlier, I would just advise her as her closest friend, I would not wish the difficulties, the hurts, the travails of a very bitter political campaign on my friend but some things are worth sacrificing for. And this is one of it,” Garcia said.