Matugas-Egay tandem looms
The Mayors of the 2nd District of Surigao del Norte are reportedly endorsing the tandem of DepEd Region 8 Director Sol Matugas and Board Member Egay for Governor and Vice Governor respectively.
According to mindanao.com, those who reportedly endorsed the tandem are, Mainit Mayor Ramon Mondano, Gigaquit Mayor Carlos Egay, Sr., Bacuag Mayor Shiela Mae Orquina-Cebedo, San Francisco Mayor Simplicia Bacol, Malimono Mayor Teodoro Senaca, Jr., Tubod Mayor Cristina Romarate-Arcillas, Taganaan Mayor Cesar Diaz, Sison Mayor Leicester Fetalvero, Alegria Mayor Dominador Esma, Claver Vice-Mayor Rosemarie “Nene” Gokiangkee and Placer Vice-Mayor Philip Adlao.
According to Bacuag Mayor Shiela Mae Orquina-Cebedo, they endorsed the Matugas-Egay tandem because “It’s high time that we give our people the credible choices for governor and vice-governor in the persons of Ma’am Sol and Board Member Jun Egay whose integrity and record of public service are beyond reproach.”
Sol Matugas will be pitted against Governor Robert Ace Barbers, while Junjun Egay will faceoff Vice Governor Noel P. Catre who are the bets of Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party.
Sol Matugas is the wife of incumbent Congressman Francisco Matugas while Egay is an the No. 1 Board Member in the 2nd District and the son of Gigaquit Mayor Carlos Egay Sr.
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A friend told me that most tricycle drivers in Cagayan de Oro said Vice Mayor Dongkoy Emano is now on the downhill of his political career. His failure to preside but a single session in the City Council during 2007 term will be a big issue among the voters this coming election. Also the failed BOT contracts with UKC builder of Carmen and Cogon markets leave a bad taste in the mouth. Both contracts were bought out by the Jaraula administration. The Agora renovation is feared to suffer the same fate. It is also said that Emano’s support of the Cogon market vendors is also waning.
Making matters worse for Emano is his open support of former President Joseph Estrada whom many considered as a spent force in Philippine politics.
Emano also faces a formidable opponent in Rep. Klarex Uy, who like Emano, has already cultivated masa like attributes. Klarex Uy is very generous to his constituents. His Kasalan Ng Bayan has free cake and free lechon for every couple promo. When someone dies in the family, one should only give Klarex a call and a tent, monoblock chairs and water dispenser will be sent right away for free. That is why Klarex Uy is very popular with the masses. If Dongkoy is masa, more so is Klarex Uy. If Klarex Uy decides to face Emano, he will surely give the latter a run for his money.
The only problem with Klarex is finding a viable runningmate. Earlier, it was Nazareth Barangay Chairman Bebot Rodriguez is the rumored runningmate of Uy until Congressman Rufus Rodriguez joins Emano’s camp. But elections is still months away and for sure within that period Klarex can find the right man or woman for the job.
