by Gerry Lee Gorit
MISAMIS ORIENTAL – Paglaum Governor Peter M. Unabia on Wednesday May 8, announced new developments in politics in this province.
During a press conference, Governor Unabia officially backed four candidates for the 2025 Local Election in Cagayan de Oro, stressing the professionalism of his endorsed councilor candidates affiliated with the Paglaum group. He praised their competence and dedication to public service.
Among these candidates are Provincial Board member Wayne Militante and PDRRMC Chief Fernando Vincent “Sutsot” Dy, vying for positions in the first district, alongside Provincial Board Member Gerardo “Boboy” Sabal III and another undisclosed candidate aiming for positions in the second district, all seeking roles as City Councilors.
Notably, these figures from Misamis Oriental have updated their mailing addresses and registered with Comelec-CDO. Governor Unabia also highlighted his friendship with Klarex Uy, affirming that Uy will stand as their mayoral candidate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Unabia said he is fielding businessman Donald Rey “Dongzals” Ellarina to run for mayor in Laguindingan town and Vergilia “Bebing” Dumadag to run again as mayor in Villanueva against the Uy’s.
Ellarina, Unabia said, will run against the incumbent mayor in Laguindingan.
The governor has also announced the transfer of residence of some board members in Cagayan de Oro purposely to qualify them to run as City council bets in the upcoming elections
The initial names of Board members who just transferred residences in the city,according to the governor, were Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Wayne Militante and Gerardo “Boboy” Sabal III.
Unabia also announced the province’s risk management czar “Sutsot” Dy to join the board members in running as city council aspirants in Cagayan de Oro.
MORE PROJECT COLLABS
Governor Unabia emphasized that Board members Wayne Militante and Boboy Sabal will play a great role in making the province and the city have more project collaborations and resolutions, once they are given seats at the City Council of Cagayan de Oro.
Recently, the management team of Mayor Rolando Uy and Governor Unabia have had several meetings and reportedly tackled to legislate laws for the betterment of both Cagayan de Oro and the province, especially on matters about the Laguindingan International Airport, Railway Train project and in making the City a metropolis.
Governor Unabia said legislations and resolutions are very important to make the progress of both Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental very smooth and fast.
Mayor Uy, on the other hand, had earlier pronounced that the province’s active role in making the City achieved its metropolis status, is very vital. Thus, talks and more meetings will soon be made by both parties, reports said.
DONGSAL’S POLITICS
Donald Rey Ellarina, or more popularly known as “Dongsals” by his friends and associates is a successful businessman of Misamis Oriental.
Ellarina owns fleets of modern passenger vehicles plying the streets in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental. In Cagayan de Oro alone Ellarina, owner of
Donsals Transport Corporation, recently rolled out 35 Toyota Coasters for the Cagayan de Oro-Initao route. There are still other routes that his fleets of passenger vehicles are plying.
Ellarina’s massive successes in the transport sector gained him prominence in both Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental.
In the upcoming elections in the province, Governor Unabia officially announced Dongsal’s entry into politics as his official candidate for mayor in Laguindingan, one of the fastest booming towns in the province.
Vice Gov. Jeremy Jonahmar “Jigjag” Pelaez is also seeking reelection in the next year’s election in tandem with Governor Unabia under the Paglaum Group.
Pelaez is now one of the trusted allies of the governor, as he is actively supporting the flagship programs of the Unabia administration.
