By Armando B. Fenequito Jr.
TWO Davao City councilors were elated after Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte included them in the list of possible vice mayoral bets of the local administration party Hugpong saTawong Lungsod in next year’s election.
In his regular television program “Gikansa sa Masa, Para sa Masa” aired last Sunday, Duterte named councilors Maria Belen S. Acosta, Leonardo Avila III, Edgar Ibuyan Sr. and Louie John Bonguyan as possible vice mayoral candidates.
Ibuyan said he is happy that Duterte recognized his hard work in the City Council by including his name.
Ibuyan, however, said he is not vying for the higher position because he plans to run as barangay captain in barangay 5-A.
“Naghula tlang ko sa desisyon sa partido og ni Mayor (I am just waiting for the decision of the mayor and the party),” Ibuyan said.
He said if Duterte will choose him to be the vice mayoral bet then he will not hesitate to accept it.
If the mayor will declare the vice mayor slot as “free zone” he might not pursue to run for the position.
In a separate interview, Bonguyan said he was also happy with the revelation of the mayor last Sunday.
“I am happy that the leader of the party (Duterte) includes my name as one of the options to be the vice mayor in 2016 election,” he said.
He said the inclusion of his name is an indicator that Duterte recognizes his effort and performance in the local lawmaking body.
“All councilors in the city council are all good and performing,” Bonguyan said.
Bonguyan added that his edge among other possible candidates is his being young that give him the energy to serve the people.
“If chosen by the mayor and no Duterte will run for the position, I am ready for it,” he said.
He said if Duterte will declare the position as ‘free zone’ he is still ready to gamble and seek the position.
The party, Bonguyan said, is yet to meet for the caucus of who will be the in final list of candidates.
These two councilors are now in their last term and cannot seek re-election for next year.
Reporters asked Ibuyan and Bonguyan if the revelation of the list of possible vice mayor of the party means that no Duterte will run for the position, the two answered that they do not have any idea.
When Mayor Duterte was asked last Monday night if his son, Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte, will remain to be the vice mayor of the party, he said that it will depend on him.
