Pesquera to seek Congress seat versus Abellanosa

CEBU, Philippines —  Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera of Barug Team Rama Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan has expressed her intention to run for Congress in the coming 2019 elections.

She told The FREEMAN that she came up with the decision after she sees the need for South District residents to have someone who can bring their various concerns in Congress.

"I believe that this is the opportunity time for me to run for Congress. My experience in the city council provided me the necessary foundation as a legislator...And having been a barangay councilor provided me the insights on the needs of the people," she said.

Pesquera said every party meetings, she will always discuss the matter to other members of Barug Team Rama PDP Laban.

She emphasized that none from the group or prominent national politicians have influenced her to run for higher position.

She said she wants to serve the district and she also aims to be active in discussions in Congress which would enhance her knowledge as far as governance is concerned.

She claimed that she got positive response from the group which made her decide to run as Cebu City South District representative this May 2019 elections.

In a separate interview, former mayor Michael Rama, local head of Barug Team Rama PDP Laban respects the decision of Pesquera.

However, he said the party will issue an official line up of their slate for the upcoming polls.

“Yes, she is being considered. If she had made that statement and pronouncement with you, it is considered as verbal expression of her intention,” Rama said.

“She has been a very loyal, committed and hardworking councilor and as a consultant,” he added.

Incumbent congressman Rodrigo Abellanosa disclosed that he will seek re-election bid and he welcomes Pesquera’s plan.

“Every candidate will campaign for victory. So nobody will be taken lightly,” he said when asked whether or not he considers Pesquera as a threat.

In 1994, Pesquera started her political career as barangay councilwoman in Kinasang-an Pardo.

On her first term as barangay official, she was elected as treasurer of Liga ng mga Barangay Konsehal Cebu City Chapter.

In 1998, she started serving as city councilor.

In May 2016, she was again elected as city councilor. Aside from being a public official, she is an accountant and a lawyer at the same time.

Pesquera said former congressman Antonio Cuenco who earlier expressed to be back in the political arena was already informed about this. 

She said that Cuenco will be running as city councilor not as congressman.

“Yes, he will be running for councilor. He already expressed for this time, it’s better for him to be in the council kay at least naa ra siya sa city,” Pesquera said.

However, Cuenco refuses to comment at the moment saying he will issue his final decision on October 11, 2018. 

To recall, last August 17, he disclosed that running for city councilor is among of his option as he aims to be back in the political battle.

In fact, he admitted that there is a high probability that he will be successful in getting the councilor post over congressman because Abellanosa has a lot of resources.  For her part, Pesquera was not threatened of Abellanosa who has been in the position for two terms already because she trusts the public’s intelligence in casting votes.

“No, ako mana gi-factor out ang iyahang resources and I believe in the intelligence of our voters nga they will really choose the person who can be their voice in the Congress,” she said.

One of Pesquera’s priorities, if ever she will be elected, as south district representative is to establish a park in all barangays as well as memorial halls.

“Ma-establish gyud siya, ang government owned para sa tanan. Ang memorial hall diha ihaya ang patay’ng lawas sa dili ka afford og St. Peter and Cosmopolitan. Luoy baya siya kay dili sila ka-afford then wala’y kahayaan,” Pesquera said.

She will also sponsor a bill that will increase the number of representatives in the congress from two to four.

She is confident that Congress will approve it if she is given a chance to sit as congresswoman saying it is a common problem to all Local Government Units (LGUs). — MBG (FREEMAN)