Filtered By: Topstories
News

Atienza says he may run again for Manila mayor in 2019


BUHAY party-list Representative Lito Atienza on Thursday said he would consider running again for mayor of Manila in the 2019 elections if the city will not see any significant change during the term of its current chief, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada.

Atienza made the pronouncement at a media forum in Quezon City, only less than a year before the May 2019 midterm election.

"Kapag si Mayor Erap ay talagang mabago niya ang takbo ng panahon ng kanyang administrasyon, e 'di magpatuloy na lang siya. Ako ay magpapatuloy na lang sa Kongreso," he said.

"Pero kapag hindi siya nagbago, ang baho-baho ng Maynila, ang baha dito sa mga daan, kapag hindi nabago ito, tutugon ako doon sa panawagan ng marami: 'Congressman, tumakbo ka ulit [na mayor], sayo kami,'" he added.

Atienza served as mayor of the nation's capital for three terms from 1998 to 2007 before being appointed as environment secretary under the term of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In 2010, he tried becoming mayor again but lost to former Interior Secretary and senator Alfredo Lim, who was running for re-election at the time.

In 2013, Lim lost the mayoral post to Estrada, while Atienza secured a congressional seat in the House of Representative representing BUHAY party-list. — MDM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT