THREE-termer Councilor Nadya Emano-Elipe is likely to replace her deceased father, former Cagayan de Oro City mayor Vicente Emano for the vice-mayoralty post in the midterm elections on Monday, May 13.
Lawyer Leon Gan, who seeks reelection for councilor and vice-president of Padayon Pilipino Party, said Emano-Elipe is likely to substitute her father who passed away last Tuesday, due to Pneumonia.
The elder Emano was challenging the reelection bid of Raineir Joaquin Uy for the city’s second highest post, but he died five days before the election day.
Emano’s remains will be laid to rest on Saturday at a public cemetery in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, the political kingpin’s hometown.
Gan said Nadya is fit and qualified to pursue her father’s bid to serve the people by leading the city’s legislative body.
“Qualified siya ug angayan mahimong vice mayor tungod sa iyang experience ug kapasidad,” Gan said.
Gan said Nadya has the advantage in terms of background, track record and qualifications.
He also said Nadya has been aggressive in the campaign and has already visited the villages convincing the people to pick her father for vice-mayor.
“Daan na siya gatuyok sa syudad. Sa akong tan-aw mapakusog pa ni Nadya ang partido sa karon kay she is very aggressive sa campaign,” Gan said.
Mayoral candidate Jose Gabriel La Viña also said Nadya is a perfect replacement as his running-mate.
“She is my choice but it has to go through formality and looks like she is also the family’s choice,” La Viña said.
“She is the most qualified kay abogado, dunay experience, number kagawad, she has all the qualities as vice mayor,” he added.
City Commission on Elections officer Lawyer Ramil Acol said substitution is allowed when the candidate dies and only when he/she belongs to a political party.
He said any member of the family with the same surname can replace the deceased candidate.
Acol said the substitute must file a certificate of candidacy and bring the death certificate of the deceased candidate and the certification of nomination from the party.
“Sa karon wala pay documents nga na-forward sa atong office for substitution of Emano,” the election officer said.
Acol said the deadline is until 12 noon of the election day.