entrepreneurs completing the local slate of Mayor Samuel Co, four new
faces did not escape the eye of the media.
Who are they? Will they hog the headlines and squeeze for voters'
preference in the next year's elections just like the old timers and
the veterans?
First is Alexander "Jun-Jun" Co Jr. The 23-year old is a hotelier and
Mayor Sammy Co's nephew. He is said to be a "substitute" for his
uncle, incumbent councilor Wilson Co, who opted not to run again owing
to health concerns.
A business administration and computer application graduate of La
Salle University in Cebu City, Jun admits he's a greenhorn in politics
and was hesitant at first.
"My uncle taught me the importance of coming out of my comfort zone
and start serving other people. It was an insight and from that time I
thought I am capable of becoming a humble servant," he added.
"In life we had to be determined. Achieving things does not depend on
age but on determination."
"Business wisdom is my forte that I can apply in the political arena
in the interest of public service and maximized potential and develop
to gain more business investors in the city," Co said.
Jun notes that he can make breakthroughs in the tourism, business and
youth sectors.
Next in Co's list is Aniceto Galon, a retired judge and former city
councilor who wants to make a comeback from his long respite.
He says he has reached the highest point of his career and wants "to
go back to his first love," which he mean as the city council.
As a young lawyer then, Galon has served for two terms in the
pre-martial law years before he shifted career and worked his way up
in the judicial courts.
"Akong gibati nga ang pagserbisyo sa lungsod walay kinutuban. Kung
nangandoy ko sa pagserbisyo sa publiko niadtong batan-on pa ko nga
kulang pa ko og kasinatian, labaw na siguro karon mapuslan ang akong
kasinatian nga edaran na ko," he said.
"Kung magustuhan sa katawhan akong tanyag kanila, ang akong gisaligan
sa akong pagpapili ug ang igarantinya ang akong tiunay nga
pagserbisyo," Galon added.
For lawyer Carlos "Caloy" Madarang III, taking his sights on public
service will be a specialty since as a lawyer, for example, he can
offer his services to the council and to the people.
"Being a rookie in the political arena I don't want to brag myself.
The task and work of a councilor will not be new to me. So far I'm
still hopeful and continue to pray for the blessing of the Almighty
and the people so that this bid will be successful," the former
provincial legal counsel said.
Last but not the least is businessman and contractor Roque "Nonoy"
Yamba, who is also the president of the Baganian Broadcasting
Corporation and general manager of DxBZ-AM and DxCA-FM.
"Kung unsa man gani ang tahas nga ihatag sa katawhan, akoang himuon
alang sa kalambuan sa siyudad," was his no-nonsense words.
On the sideline is incumbent board member Baldomero "Baleleng"
Fernandez—a private lawyer and formerly the provincial and city
prosecutor of Zamboanga del Sur.
Banking on his vast experience in law practice and as a seasoned
legislator, Fernandez said that he will focus on the needed
regulations and policies for a more progressive regional center.
"Nagtan-aw ko nga taga-dinhi man gyod ta ug basin aduna tay dako nga
mahimo ug ikatampo sa pagpanday sa balaod alang sa kalambuan sa
siyudad," he stressed.
Fernandez added that he wants to initiate laws that will benefit the
senior citizens, revenue collections and the poor.
For his part, Co said that their lineup went through the rigorous
selection process of their party and that he believes this chosen crop
will help propel the city to make more progress.
The mayor calls them a "teamwork of young, energetic and committed
people" that can lend a hand in propelling the city to sure
development.
"With this lineup, we will try our very best nga modaug gyod ang
tanan," the mayor added.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA & JONG CADION