POPULAR MAYOR MARIA Isabelle “Beng” Climaco filed her certificate of candidacy Thursday with a strong coalition of political forces in Zamboanga behind her re-election bid.
A huge group of supporters chanting “Climaco, Climaco” followed Mayor Beng and her entire political slate to the Commission on Elections and cheered and clapped their hands as she emerged after the filing of the COC. Well-wishers also lined up the road and took photos of Mayor Beng and her group for posterity while chanting the same phrase “Climaco” and vowed strong support for Team Climaco.
Team Climaco is composed of members affiliated with the Liberal Party, United Nationalist Alliance, Nationalist People’s Coalition, LAKAS, Aggrupation of Parties for Prosperity and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
Mayor Beng also unveiled a newly created local party called – Partido Prosperidad y Amor Para na Zamboanga or Partido PAZ, that adheres to the principles of people empowerment which underscores that human development is attainable for all through the people’s active participation.
With her as running mate is Atty. Rommel Agan, who also filed his COC for Vice Mayor. He is a three-termer Councilor and son of the late Mayor Vitaliano Agan. For the Congressional race, Team Climaco fielded former City Councilor Cesar “Jawo” Jimenez Jr. for District I and incumbent Congressman Jose Manuel “Mannix” Dalipe for District II.
For the Council slate, District I is composed of incumbent Councilors Josephine “Pinpin” Pareja, Cesar “Sang” Jimenez Sr., and Elbert “Bong” Atilano. Other council hopefuls include El King Omaga of Barangay Calarian, Joel Esteban of Barangay San Jose Gusu, ZAMCELCO Board Member Rikki Lim, peace advocate and Muslim leader Engr. Al Urao and businessman and civic leader Crisanto “Monsi” dela Cruz. For District II, the council slate is bannered by incumbent Councilors Atty. Kim Elago, Jihan Edding, Jimmy Villaflores and Teodyver Arquiza.
Other council hopefuls include former City Councilor Eddie Saavedra, John Dalipe of Barangay Tetuan, Samuel Natividad of Barangay Guiwan and retired policeman Alvin Perez. The strong coalition vows to continue their pro-poor programs and to make Zamboanga City more resilient and progressive.
“Our administration will prioritize literacy and education for the young generation as they are the future of Zamboanga, and we will continue to provide school buildings and other support needed by our equally hardworking teachers. Our outreach and medical programs for the different barangays and poor communities, including welfare of our children and senior citizens will also be given priority,” Mayor Beng said. “We will not stop in dreaming big for our people and our beloved City. May our love for Zamboanga inspire us to do more and may God be with us in this fight. Amare et Servire Dominum. Love and Serve the Lord,” she added. (With a report from the Mindanao Examiner.)
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