By Villamor C. Visaya Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer News Correspondent/GMA News Stringer
CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela-City Mayor Josemarie Diaz has led an almost ‘intact’ slate as they fled their certificates of candidacy before the election office for the government elective positions in the city government.
Diaz, accompanied by Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, is gunning for his second consecutive term. He also served as mayor from 2006 to 2007 when then Mayor Delfinito Albano was ambushed in Quezon City. He had also served for three terms as mayor from 2007 to 2016 and 2019 to present.
The candidates were welcomed with fanfare by supporters at the city hall. Seven of the ten bets are reelectionist councilors. Diaz’s runningmate is reelectionist Vice Mayor Kyrille “Kit”’ Bello, son of Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Councilors vying for reelection are Jay Eveson Diaz, Jessamyn Uy-Ligan, Rolando Tugade, Harold Olalia, Lillian Bringas, Antonio Montereal and Joey Ramos.
Rachel Villanueva-Garcia, daughter of the late councilor and former vice mayor Vedasto Villanueva, would seek reelection. She was appointed when her father earlier died.
Aggassian village head Rommel Ballesteros and sectoral representative Joseph Mata.
The group members have been pushing the Livable City 2030 vision.#