AFTER giving a hint of going independent, Cebu City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros has confirmed that he may run as an independent candidate in the next elections.
In a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, Hontiveros also denied that he was disappointed at not having been chosen as a possible candidate for vice mayor by his partymates in Partido Barug.
Hontiveros said Barug can now come up with its list of candidates for the 2022 elections as the filing of certificates of candidacy, which is in October, is approaching, adding he is still weighing his options for 2022.
“By publicly announcing that I may run as an independent, I confirmed to our party that they can draft their lineup now without me,” said Hontiveros in a statement.
He also clarified that his trip to Manila has the approval of Vice Mayor Michael Rama, and that this has nothing to do with the rumor that he got hurt after not being chosen to run for the vice mayor’s post in the 2022 elections.
“Wala ko mangluod kay wala ko pilia isip kandidato pagka-vice mayor sa among partido (I was not dismayed that I was not chosen as our party’s candidate for the vice mayor position). Let’s get that out of the way,” said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros is currently in Manila for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) bubble. He serves as an assistant coach of the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
He assured his obligation to his team has not compromised his duty as city councilor, especially with the City Council now holding sessions online.
He said he was also tasked by Rama to observe and learn the measures on anti-mendicancy of the other local government units while in Manila.