Las Piñas battle: Councilor challenges Cynthia Villar

MANILA, Philippines — In a bold move, Las Piñas Councilor Mark Anthony Santos on Tuesday announced his candidacy for the city’s lone congressional seat, going head to head against billionaire Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Villar, who is on her third and last term as senator, has maintained a strong presence in local politics for decades.

Santos, a seasoned councilor currently serving his seventh term, acknowledged the magnitude of the battle between “David and Goliath.”

While he is up against the wealthiest politician in the country, Santos said he remains undeterred.

Santos previously served as chief of staff of the late Las Piñas mayor Vergel Aguilar, brother of Senator Villar.

In Caloocan, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV yesterday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor, vowing to fight corruption and lift residents out of poverty.

His running mate is former city councilor PJ Alonzo.

Trillanes, who was born and raised in Barangay 169, North Caloocan, emphasized his readiness to serve the people, citing his long-standing commitment to public service and his track record in fighting corruption.

Trillanes will go up against Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan.

If elected, Trillanes pledged to make Caloocan more business-friendly to create more jobs for residents.

In Manila, Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo filed their candidacies for reelection.

At a gathering with supporters, Lacuna offered well wishes to her predecessor, Isko Moreno, and declared, “Walang magbabalik (None shall return).”

“That is what the people are chanting. I am just echoing it,” she said.

Moreno will reportedly run against Lacuna. He lost his presidential bid in the 2022 elections.

Lacuna was Moreno’s vice mayor from 2019 to 2022.

She said she would not engage in mudslinging.

Hours after Lacuna filed her candidacy, Moreno said in a Facebook post, “Peace be with you. Let the people of Manila decide.”

In Malabon, Mayor Jeannie Sandoval filed her COC for reelection under the Nacionalista Party.

“The decision rests with the people. They know who should lead the city government to advance their welfare, which we have sought to safeguard during my first term as mayor,” she said.

Sandova