Martinez, Mondigo return to LP

CEBU, Philippines - At least two prominent political leaders in the fourth district of the Province of Cebu have reunited under the Liberal Party after almost a decade in the opposing camp.

 Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. has gotten back the allegiance of former Provincial Board member Joven Mondigo Sr. whose son, incumbent PB Member Joven “Venjun” Mondigo Jr., is running for mayor in Medellin in next year’s elections.

Yesterday, Martinez and Governor Hilario Davide III announced LP’s slate in the fourth district, except for congressman, which will be announced next week. 

 Aside from the candidates for mayor and vice mayors in one city and eight municipalities, also announced were the candidates for board members – former Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. and Medellin Councilor Horacio “Raci” Franco III.

 Martinez thanked the Mondigos for returning to the group they pioneered in the district.

 Davide said the district, which he described as strong, will help strengthen the party.

Mondigo Sr. said he would help Martinez should the latter decides to run for Congress, as he saw what the latter had done in developing the district when he was congressman from 1987 to 1998. Mondigo was the mayor of Medellin during this time.

 Among the notable pieces of legislation Martinez authored while at the lower house was the Local Government Code of 1991.

 When the election of Board Members in 1992 was undertaken per district under the Code, Martinez picked now Representative Benhur Salimbangon who was the general manager of Cebu Electric Cooperative II and San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez who was the vice mayor of then municipality of Bogo.

 Salimbangon ran for Congress in 1998 but lost to Martinez’s wife, former congresswoman Clavel Asas-Martinez.

 Mondigo Sr. who was on his last term as mayor of Medellin filled in the position of Salimbangon and partnered with Mariano in the PB in 1998 until 2007.

 Mondigo Sr. severed ties with the Martinezes in 2007 when he ran for mayor in Medellin under One Cebu Party but lost to Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, a Martinez’s ally, while Venjun won for a PB seat.

 Next year, Venjun, 38, is running under LP against the 27 years old Ricky Ramirez IV, the son of incumbent mayor, of One Cebu-National Unity Party. —/JMO  (FREEMAN)