MATI CITY — Davao Oriental Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy Jr. will seek to retain the province’s top post in next year’s midterm elections, a position he held since succeeding former Gov. Corazon Malanyaon, who died more than a year ago.
On Saturday, October 5, 2024, Governor Uy filed his certificate of candidacy alongside his team, buoyed by what he calls “a people-backed campaign.”
The present governor said he is bent on continuing the gains of good governance under his administration despite being grid-locked by budgetary constraints due to his administration’s reenacted budget.
The capitol under his helm has been crippled with challenges in funding his pet programs after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan failed to pass a valid appropriation ordinance for 2024 that will fund the province’s priority programs and projects.
The executive-legislative standoff resulted in a civil case questioning the ordinance’s validity, which is still lagging in a local court.
Pending that, the people of Davao Oriental are on the losing end, claimed Governor Uy.
He said that the province’s national tax allocation had not been released due to the budget reenactment, a considerable amount that could have been used to fund basic social services for the residents of Davao Oriental.
The majority of the province’s current Sangguniang Panlalawigan is headed by Nelson Dayanghirang, Jr., whose father is also eyeing a comeback as governor after serving several terms. The latter currently represents the province’s first congressional district in the House of Representatives.
Governor Uy partners with Louie Malanyaon, the widower of the former governor, who has also filed his COC as vice governor.
Their team includes Baganga town’s incumbent mayor, Ronald “Pepot” Lara, who will run as congressman of the first congressional district.
They have not endorsed a congressional candidate for Davao Oriental’s second district.
Governor Uy’s slate for board members is a mixture of old political players and newbies, including Nenette Palmera, Michelle Malanyaon-Centeno, Atty. Maria Lady Hope Macayra, Beverly Dayanan, and Joan Mariano for District 1.
The team’s District 2 slate consists of Stephen Paul “Popong” Uy, Arman Valera, Rhea Clarabl, and Engr. Rufo “Popoy” Trocio.
According to the Commission on Elections, Davao Oriental has 422,310 registered voters who will participate in next year’s elections. Louie Lapat
