We are feeling the heat of the elections with one more week to go before we all head for the polls. In the First District of the city, we see familiar names and a few new political aspirants in the mix. Some have been in the legislative branch for many terms, taking a respite from the required number of years and them coming back for another shot.
Let us start with the re-electionists
Re-electionist
For the first district, the most senior in terms of experience and age seeking reelection is Councilor Bonifacio Militar. First elected to city council in 1988, Militar has held various council committee chairmanships, and at one point ran for congress representation of the first district in 1998.
A lawyer by profession, Militar currently serves as the assistant floor leader of the 18th council , as well as holding chairmanship on the following committees : housing and subdivision development (High-End Projects), committee on city-owned real properties, and the committee on franchise and public utilities.
A member of the Duterte-led Hugong sa Tawong Lungsod, he operate on a platform of health, universal education, greening and environment programs, peace and order, on site services , establishing improved networks of infrastructure, and gainful agriculture.
Next to Militar is Councilor Pilar Braga. First working as a college professor in 1965, she was elected to the council in 1992 and the previous city council.
Involved in energy and transportation, environment, and human rights, she has since spent her time being involved in movements pushing for reforms in education, the environment, and culture, and the arts; notably as member of the Datu Bago Awardees Organization.
Ma. Belen Acosta, previously a broadcast journalist, TV personality, and a teacher was elected into council in 2001. Also a member of Hugpong, her platform revolves around the party’s advocacies, as well as her own programs geared towards education, culture and the arts and women’s movements.
According to a Facebook page managed by her team, apart from her contributions to the city council, she was also awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines in 2009, a joint search by Jaycees International Philippine Councilor’s League and the office of Sen. Angara.
A previous representative of the Association of Barangay Captains , Edgar Ibuyan Jr., son of Former Councilor Edgar Ibuyan, joined the city council in 2013, after previously working at the City Mayor’s Office as its program officer from 2003- 2007, then as a barangay captain.
Also a member of Hugpong, his platform of governance would centers children’s access to education, livelihood programs, and supporting the city’s anti-criminality programs.
As an accomplished lawyer, Atty. J. Melchor Quitain Jr. son of former City Administrator Quitain, is also a professor of constitutional law at the University of Mindanao, a managing partner of the Quitain law office, and a consultant for the office of Councilor Edgar Ibuyan, as well as having held positions in different private entities.
Nilo Abellera was formerly a city councilor and has served as the chair for the committee on public safety and security.
The newbies
Independent candidates
A former Davao television personality Onnie Alfaro is now running for first district councilor as an independent candidate.
She was the former Mag TV na Sadya Ta host ; DXAB and former endorsers of Surf, Skelan and Del Monte Tomato sauce both in 2011, Clara O’le in 2012, Tang Mindanao Activation in 2012, Kremtop in 2014, Segment host : Angel Evaporada & Enervon in 2014.
In an earlier interview with reporters after she filed her candidacy on October 16, 2018, she said her reason for running as first district councilor was that. “I just want to continue what I want to do because before I was already a public servant.”
Also Barangay Councilor Jessica Bonguyan, is seeking for a seat in the Council as 1st district councilor.
Teofilo “Boy” Guinoo, when he filed his certificate of candidacy on October last year, said his fate in winning for 1st district councilor would be on the hands of the people that will vote him.
A member of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL)and Barangay councilor Lyndon Banzon, is the son of Valentino “Tenny” Banzon, the late broadcaster-city councilor, also seeking for a seat in the first district in the city.
Barangay CouncilorRichard Duterte, a Hugpong ng Pagbabago candidate will also run for this year’s midterm election. Richard is locally known for his slogan, “amigong kasumbongan sa yanong katawhan” or the man with the will to serve the ordinary people.
Pamela Librado, she is the younger sister of councilors Angela ado and Leah. Her mother Marlyn Librado was also a councilor for three terms.
Joel Landero, an incumbent barangay chairman of 31-D, Roxas extension known as “Batang Boulevard” will also bid for a seat. He finished his studies in Marine Engineering at the Far East Maritime Institute in Manila. In the year 2007 to 2010 he was elected as barangay councilor, in 2010-2013 he was elected as Barangay Captain and in 2013-2016 re-elected as Barangay Captain and 2016-2018 as Barangay captain in his last term.
Ernesto Macasaet Jr., head of Security of Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City. He has been working with the hotel for more than 17 years handling progressively responsible positions, starting as entry level House Detective in December 1999, to currently being part of the Hotel Management Team as Head of Security.
Other candidates for 1st district are Cristito Lazaro, a barangay captain of Bago Aplaya, Barangay councilor Ronar Roy Liza, Romulo Mamalias, the Sta. Ana national high school Teachers Union President and Jun Engoc.
