Fresnedi, San Pedro continue mayoral tug-of-war in Muntinlupa

Familiar names dominate this year’s candidates for the Muntinlupa City elections with the continuing political tug of war between incumbent Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and former mayor Aldrin San Pedro taking the spotlight.

Fresnedi, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, is seeking an unprecedented fifth term. He first served as vice mayor from 1988 until he was elected mayor in 1998.

He went on to win two re-election bids in 2001 and in 2004, when San Pedro was elected vice mayor after serving as a councilor.

Barred by the Constitution to run for a fourth consecutive term, Fresnedi fielded his wife Loreta in the 2007 elections but she lost to San Pedro.

Fresnedi tried to return to the mayor's office in 2010 but also lost to San Pedro.

In 2013, he again took on San Pedro and was successful.

If he wins, Fresnedi said he would improve the city’s scholarship program, continue the construction of additional school facilities, and expand the local hospital to accommodate more patients availing of free medical care.

Fresnedi also vowed to continue to partner with civic organizations in delivering housing projects for residents, provide equipment and devices to police personnel for response in crimes and disaster-related projects.

He said he wanted inclusive development to be his legacy as a public official.

“Sa pamamagitan ng aking mga programa, nais kong isama ang lahat ng Muntinlupeno sa pag-unlad ng lungsod," Fresnedi told GMA News Online.

"Nagnananais ako na sa bawat pamilya sa Muntinlupa, mayroong isang miyembro kahit papaano ang ating natulungan at naging bahagi sa pag-asenso,” he added.

GMA News Online also asked San Pedro, a candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance, to outline his plans for the city and the challenges facing his campaign but he declined to give comment.

Trying to break the cycle of Fresnedi-San Pedro leadership is Vice Mayor Artemio Simundac of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, who is running under the platform of change.

Rounding out the five-man race for mayor are independents Oscar Marmento and Reynaldo Abas Jr.

Vice mayoral bets include Raul Corro (UNA), Celso Dioko (LP) and Baby Aguilar Nava (NPC).

Congressional race

It’s a tossup between former lawmaker Ruffy Biazon and former Optical Media Board chairman and actor Ronnie Ricketts in the congressional race.

Asked by GMA News Online about his advantage over Ricketts, Biazon pointed to his record in public service.

“My advantage is my track record of service, both in lawmaking and delivery of projects and services to the people. I was author/co-author of 44 Republic Acts and initiated projects in my district which addressed the needs of my constituents in the areas of health, education, infrastructure development, peace and order, livelihood and employment, and environmental protection,” Biazon said in a text message.

“I am more knowledgeable on the work of a congressman, and most importantly the issues that concern the city and its inhabitants. I have served the communities of Muntinlupa for more than 10 years while this is his first time to immerse in the communities when he started campaigning” he added.

Biazon served for three terms as congressman (2001 to 2010). He lost his bid for a Senate seat in 2010 but was later appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as commissioner of the Bureau of Customs.

The former lawmaker, however, had to quit his post in November 2013 after the Department of Justice pressed graft and malversation charges against him before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the pork barrel scam.

Biazon was accused of pocketing nearly P2 million in kickbacks for diverting his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocation to the bogus non-government organizations of alleged  scam mastermind and businesswoman Janet Napoles.

The Ombudsman recently filed the case before the Sandiganbayan for trial. 

Ricketts is also facing graft cases, too.

The former action star was charged for allegedly returning the seized pirated video discs the OMB had confiscated to the manufacturer in May 2010.

Muntinlupa City has 309,595 voters, according to Commission on Elections data. -NB, GMA News