Joe remains coy on 2019 lineup

MAYOR Jose “Joe” Espinosa III continues to play coy on his lineup for the 2019 elections when asked by reporters after the flag ceremony on Sept 24, 2018. Espinosa said it remains a “secret.” (Louine Hope Conserva)

ILOILO City Mayor Jose “Joe” Espinosa III remains evasive when asked by the media about his lineup for the 2019 elections.

With barely two weeks before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Oct 11-17, 2018, Espinosa, who is seeking to retain his post, has yet to announce his bets for congressional representative and vice mayor. He also has yet to reveal his city council slate.

The mayor said his focus as of the moment is on “governance” and that politicking might only divert his attention from providing services.

“Ako ya gapanghimanwa anay. Kay ang politika maabot lang na,” Espinosa said.

The names of former city councilor Nielex “Lex” Tupas and incumbent city councilor RLeoni Gerochi are being floated as his probably congressional and vice mayoral bets. But when pressed for confirmation, Espinosa said it remains a “secret.”

He also shrugged off the result of the latest survey showing that he is lagging behind lone district Rep. Jerry Trenas, who is also running for mayor.

In a survey conducted by the Random Access Consultants, Inc. (RACI) in 60 barangays from Sept 14 to 16, 2018, Treñas got 64.5 percent votes while Espinosa only has 28.7 percent. The survey had 600 respondents chosen at random.

Treñas also topped the mayoral race in the first two surveys with more than 60 percent of the respondents.

“Immaterial para sa akon ang survey. Sa subong governance anay,” Espinosa said.

He added that, “I need not to advertise myself,” claiming that he has proven his worth to the public.

“It’s not about the survey. Ang aton ya ang palanggaon lang kita sang pumuluyo. I will do what is right. It might not be popular to some but if I think that I am correct and I am supported by the people, ok lang,” he said.

He denied being complacent, nor is it late for him to make any political move. Espinosa said his politicking will start “during the campaign period.”

‘SUPPORTERS ARE WELCOME’

Espinosa, on the other hand, said he welcomes everyone’s support for his 2019 mayoral bid, including that of his predecessor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Earlier, Councilor Plaridel Nava posted in his Facebook page that former mayor Mabilog will back Espinosa in next year’s elections.

It was also reported that Mabilog’s “Red Ladies” have joined the “Rainbow Ladies” to campaign for the incumbent mayor.

In a radio interview, Edlen Agayating, former kagawad of Barangay Mansaya, Lapuz, Iloilo City and assistant overall chairman of Red Ladies, said Mabilog already gave them permission to back Espinosa.

Agayating added that the Mabilog family is aware of their jump to Espinosa’s camp. The Red Ladies, which has more or less 35,000 members, was established by Mabilog’s wife Marivic.

“Ako ya basta gaubra lang ako sang ulubrahon. I welcome support from everyone,” Espinosa said.

Espinosa neither confirmed nor denied if Mabilog will endorse his candidacy.

But he revealed that Mabilog is communicating with him.

“Mga emotional nga pagkabutang kag personal. Makita mo man na sa panimuot kag pag-inupdanay naton,” he said.

Then vice mayor Espinosa succeeded Mabilog in October 2017 following the latter’s dismissal from service for alleged unexplained wealth.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

Special thanks to: