FORMER La Castellana mayor Alberto Nicor Jr. is making a comeback in politics, this time, as the runningmate of her daughter, incumbent and reelectionist Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan.
The daughter-father tandem under the local group dubbed "Team Arangka" was officially announced on Friday, October 8.
Nicor-Mangilimutan, in a press conference at her residence in the southern Negros Occidental locality, said her partnership with his father would mean more effective and efficient services to the people.
Nicor-Mangilimutan said she owe it to his father her public service career "which I was able to establish if not because of him."
She said Nicor had spent 42 years in public service. He last served as the three-term mayor of La Castellana until 2016.
"Even how good you are in the executive, even how good your programs for the people are if there's a failure on the legislative part, it won't prosper," the mayor stressed.
Nicor-Mangilimutan cited some projects that have been affected due to a lack of support from the municipal council during his father's time.
These included the development of the town's sanitary landfill and new public market.
"They were outnumbered at the council so my father was not able to finish it," she lamented, adding that "that is why I continue to push it now during my term as mayor."
Nicor-Mangilimutan is upbeat that with the knowledge and experience of his father, they will be able to realize these projects among other plans and programs they have designed for the town's further development.
"This is the time to open the hearts and minds of La Castellana people to support my slate so our dreams mainly to boost the livelihood of the people and the local economy will come into a reality," she said.
For his part, Nicor said he actually wanted to stay in his private life, but he cannot ignore the call of the people.
"Indi ko tulog kay sagay man ko kutot sang tawo nga mabalik sa pulitika [I can't sleep because they keep on pushing me to go back in politics]," he added.
His daughter-mayor said, "he wanted to retire [from politics] but there's an urgency because the people wanted him that is why he is my vice mayor."
Aside from her father, two of Nicor-Mangilimutan's siblings namely Añejo and Alberto "White" Nicor III are also seeking reelection as town councilors.
As she is aware of the political dynasty issue that might be thrown against her family, Nicor-Mangilimutan said "this is an election, it's for the people to choose."
She said they have individual qualities when it comes to public service.
They were honed by their father with utmost sincerity and loyalty, the mayor said.
"I lost in 2010 elections as barangay captain of Robles so it's up to the people," she said, adding that "regardless of relation, whether relative or not, for as long as you have done something good, the people have the right to choose those whom they want to serve."
Other members of "Team Arangka" included incumbent councilors Ryan Canoy and Donato Dumaguit.
The four others are returnees Leonardo Bacquian and Patrick Estoya, and newbies Kent Magnabe and Carlo Vincent Ocampo.
They expressed optimism that under Nicor-Mangilimutan's leadership, the town will be able to sustain its development momentum.
Among other programs they will be pushing are tourism development, better healthcare services, livelihood and those that would spur economic progress.
The entire slate also filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Friday.
Nicor-Mangilimutan, who is running under National Unity Party (NUP), said she has a big dream for La Castellana.
"We have started making La Castellana known to the province and even to the international stage, we have achieved that already," she said, adding that "we will continue working on achieving a strong local economy that can be translated to progress for all the people of the town."
The mayor added that "I have established this Team Arangka well so we can continue achieving our dreams."