BACOOR CITY, Cavite — Incumbents City Mayor Lani Mercado Revilla and running mate Vice Mayor Karen Sarino Evaristo, together with their “One Bacoor ticket,” members filed their certificates of candidacy at the city government center’s Commission on Elections (Comelec) office Friday.
Prior to the COC filing for their respective posts in the May 2019 mid-term polls, the team attended a mass at the St. Michael de Archangel Parish Church along Evangelista Road “for providential guidance”.
The reelectionists then proceeded with a motorcade enroute to the poll body’s office here with a throng of supporters bearing placards of support and white balloon showing their support to the “Team Revilla”.
A short program was also held at the government center lobby where the city’s political aspirants were announced.
Running for District 1 councilors are Rowena “Wena” Bautista-Mendiola, Victorio “Toto” Guerrero Jr, Adrielito “Adriel” Gawaran, Alejadro “Alex” Gutierrez, Michael “Mike” Solis, and Miguel “Mike” Bautista.
District 2 aspiring councilors include Alde Joselito Pagulayan, Roberto “Obet” Advincula, Gaudencio “Guding” Nolasco, Hernando “King” Gutierrez, Leandro “Boy” De Leon, and Roberto “Robert” Javier.
In her speech, Revilla seemed emotional after reflecting on her second time to run for the mayoralty seat without her husband by her side, former Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who is currently detained at the Sandiganbayan Custodial Center for plunder.
“Para sa kanya, at sa Bacooreños ang labang ito (this fight is for my husband and the people of Bacoor),” she said.
Revilla also shared the struggles she faced as first woman mayor of this highly urbanized and progressive city in Cavite province.
“Mahirap maglingkod bilang unang babaeng alkade (It is difficult to serve as the first woman mayor),” she said, but noted that she took this as a positive stance given the type of leadership she forged, adding that she seeks to sustain what his brother-in-law, 2nd District Representative Strike Bautista Revilla, has started.
On issues thrown at her by rivals in politics, Revilla said “they will not win, and they will never be able to destroy our family.”
Revilla was reacting to a supposed family conflict created by political foes on the first day of filing when a text message spread on Thursday that Congressman Revilla had sought the elder Revilla’s consent to run for city mayor, which she said: “is intended to create misinformation and conflict.”
The city mayor reconfirmed the family’s united stand, “especially now that my husband is still under confinement and that the elder Revilla is very much healthy and alive.” (/PNA)
