EDITORIAL - Political monopoly?

As the filing of the certificate of candidacy for next year’s midterm election is just around the corner, many local politicians are now busy positioning themselves as they brace to hit the campaign trail in the coming months.

In Lapu-Lapu City, former mayor Arturo Radaza is reported to be aiming to return to the mayoralty post. Radaza was elected congressman after serving his third and final term as mayor. After staying out of politics for several years for health reasons, he was rumored to be preparing for a political comeback.

There was a report that his daughter, second-termer congresswoman Aileen Razada, would run for mayor, a decision reportedly reached when her mother, third-termer Mayor Paz Radaza agreed to run for Congress.

But with Arturo raring to return to the city’s highest political position, Aileen is reportedly giving way to her dad, settling instead for Congress for her last and final term. This gives no room for the last-termer Paz.

Granting Arturo’s mayoralty return decision and Aileen’s congressional re-election bid are final, Paz is left with no position to settle for except vice mayor or councilor. Or Paz can choose to make the supreme sacrifice by taking a political respite for three years.

Running for vice mayor is not a good option for Paz. That is because a husband-and-wife tandem running for the local government’s top two positions will surely not click in a highly-urbanized city where voters are more politically mature.

Yes, there are couples who have run in tandem and won. But that is only happening in less-developed areas, especially in Mindanao, where political dynasties are deeply rooted and where voters are easily bought.

But in Lapu-Lapu City, an Arturo-Paz tandem for mayor and vice mayor is a bad idea and will only create public perception that the Radaza family is further monopolizing the city’s political environment.