Monday, November 18, 2024

Mayor Huervas eyes gubernatorial post

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon (May 18, 2024) – Last-termer Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas intends to run for the province’s highest elected office

She launched her candidacy for provincial governor in the May 2025 local elections.
The declaration took place on May 18, 2024, at the Valencia City Gymnasium and Cultural Center.
However, she clarified that she will file her certificate of candidacy as soon as no Zubiri family member runs for the office.
She’s referring to the family of former Governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr. whom she regarded as her political mentor.
The former governor chose her to replace the late Valencia City Vice Mayor Banjamin Verano, and she later became mayor.
If her proposal goes through, she will run against her compatriot incumbent provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque.
When asked about her probable tandem, she stated that she did not consider having one due to the incumbent vice governor, Clive Quiño.
Huervas stated that she has the right to run for office and allow the people to decide.
She went on to say that even if she lost, she has no regrets.
Mayor Miguel Silva of Pangantucan, a last termer, is reportedly seeking for the same position but has yet to confirm his candidacy.
Huervas has been chosen as Bukidnon Provincial Chairperson of the PFP.
Meanwhile, fourth district board member Rodrigo Rosal also announced his candidacy for Valencia City mayor, a position to be vacated by Huervas.
Huervas, Rosal, and others took their oath as members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s political party, on the day they declared their candidacy.
When asked about his tandem, Rosal stated that they already have candidates to evaluate and that the selection process will be done sooner.
Roque, Huervas, and Rosal live in Valencia, a city with a large turnout in Bukidnon. (melbmadera and MG Mayumi B. Madera)

SP Bukidnon urges BIR to refund BSKE registration fee

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Bukidnon is urging the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to refund the Php535.00 collected registration and official receipt booklet fee of the candidates for the October 30, 2023, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE)

On September 26, the 27th SP during its 59th regular session unanimously passed the resolution on the purpose upon motion of SP member Nemesio B. Beltran Jr.

In a statement, the Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) said that the SP considered the resolution as urgent.

The SP also resolved that copies will be sent to the Revenue District Office (RDO) – 99 of the BIR based on Malaybalay City and to all its field offices in Bukidnon and other concerned government agencies for their information and reference.

Earlier, the SP passed a resolution upon motion by Beltran urging the BIR and Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold in abeyance the requirement of registration by the BSKE candidates pending appropriate information campaign by the BIR legally acceptable answers to the valid and legitimate queries and concerns of the citizens of the province of Bukidnon. It also sought the swift intervention and assistance of Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.

The previous resolution came out in response to the implementation of the Memorandum Circular No. 22-2022 dated February 21, 2022, requiring all candidates to submit duly accomplished BIR forms and payment of the Annual Registration Fee (ARF) within 30 days after filing their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) with the Comelec.

Beltran said that the memorandum caused undue confusion among the BSKE candidates in Bukidnon as they are caught off-guard with these requirements due mainly to the lack of a substantial and appropriate information dissemination campaign on the part of the BIR.

On September 20, 2023, the Comelec through the Deputy Director for Operations timely issued an Urgent Advisory to all Regional Election Directors and Provincial Election Supervisors nationwide, to notify all candidates in their respective jurisdiction by whatever means possible that “BIR registration and payment of the corresponding BIR registration of candidates are not required for filing of a certificate of candidacy nor are they prerequisites for continuing as candidates”.

As disclosed by the SP, based on the Comelec list, there are more than 15,000 candidates who are vying for the BSKE positions from the 464 barangays in the province.

As of press time, the Central Mindanao Newswatch is seeking comments from RDO-99 regarding the issues. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

Manoy Zubiri files COCs for Governor

MALAYBALAY CITY (01 Oct. 2021) – Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Manuel Antonio “Manoy” F. Zubiri has filed his Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) as Governor of the province for the May 9 elections.

Manoy is the standard-bearer of the ruling local political party in the province, the Bukidnon Paglaum Party (BPP) that was created by his father Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri Jr.

He submitted his COCs at the Office of the Provincial Supervisor of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Malaybalay City at around 11:15 a.m. on October 1, the first day of filing.

His tandem Manolo Fortich Mayor Clive D. Quiño also filed his COCs at around 11:24 a.m. on the same day.

Manoy Zubiri and his last termer father Gov. Zubiri are swapping positions.

Gov. Zubiri wants to get a fresh mandate as Representative of the 3rd District now held by Manoy. He filed his COCs at around 11:00 a.m. on the same day through his representative Atty. Paul Vincent Villegas.

Manoy Zubiri’s opponent 4th District Rep. Rogelio Neil P. Roque is expected to file his COCs on October 8 without tandem.

Fourth District Board Member Arlyn P. Ayon who transferred her residency in the third district, the rival of Gov. Zubiri for the position is also expected to submit her COCs on the last day of filing.

Pabillaran eyes mayoralty post

MALAYBALAY CITY (06 Oct. 2021) – It’s incumbent city Vice Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran against incumbent City Mayor Florencio “Doc Boy” T. Flores Jr. for the May 9, 2022 elections in Malaybalay.

Pabillaran filed his Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) as City Mayor at the Office of the City Elections Office morning on October 6.

He run under Bukidnon Paglaum Party (BPP), a dominant local political party now headed by 3rd District Rep. Manuel Antonio “Manoy” F. Zubiri who is running for Governor.

Pabillaran’s runningmate last termer City Councilor Rendon P. Sanggalang also filed his COCs.

Their 10 candidates for city councilors also filed their COCs on the same day.

The 10 who vied for the seat in the city councils are Rodney John C. Bides, Alain Joyce O Damasco, Lambert M. Tortola, Elpedio C. Sumanduran, Melchor P. Maramara, Al Adrian B. Antipasado, Vicar Louren G. Lofranco, Erick Dave L. Beltran, Christopher B. Soria, and Cromwell Kiril D. Dinlayan.

Of the 10 candidates for city councilors, only Soria and Dinlayan are re-electionists.

But a day before, certain Jason P. Marabe filed his COCs as vice mayor and certain Joe Carlo T. Macapala as city councilor. Both are running as Independent candidates.

As of 4:00 p.m. on October 6, Mayor Flores and his team under 4th District Rep. Rogelio Neil P. Roque as Governor have not yet filed their COCs.

Dr. Neric Acosta seeks Congress comeback

MALAYBALAY CITY (01 Oct. 2021) – Dr. Juan Romeo Nereus Olaivar Acosta, popularly known as Neric Acosta is seeking a congressional come back for the coming May 9 elections.

He was the early bird. He submitted his Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) at around 8:03 a.m. on October 1, the first day of filing as an Independent candidate.

Dr. Acosta is from a known political clan in the first district. His mother, Socorro “Coring” Acosta was a former mayor of Manolo Fortich.

He is a former member of the Philippine House of Representatives representing the first district of the province of Bukidnon from 1998 to 2007. He was the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and General Manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

He wanted to take back the position currently held by his sister Ma. Lourdes “Malou” O. Acosta-Alba who is in her last term.

However, it seems things did not go so easy for him.

Dr. Acosta’s rival of the post is Mr. Joeman Alba, his brother-in-law, the husband of her sister Malou.

Alba filed his COCs afternoon on October 5 in the presence of his wife Malou under the band of Bukidnon Paglaum Party (BPP) headed by 3rd District Rep. Manuel Antonio “Manoy” F. Zubiri as Governor.