BALINGASAG, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 26 March) — Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno kicked off his campaign to return as Governor of Misamis Oriental with vice presidential aspirant Senator Kiko Pangilinan in his hometown Friday night, March 25, 2022.
Moreno (Abag Promdi) was joined by his running mate, former peace consultant Ariel “Ayi” Hernandez and his entire slate of candidates for the Misamis Oriental Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial legislature.
Pangilinan raised the hands of Moreno and his fellow candidates signaling the start of the 45-day poll campaign period.
Drone shot of vice presidential aspirant Sen. Kiko Pangilinan (pink shirt) raising the hands of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno and his candidates at the rally in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental on Friday night, March 25, 2022. Photo courtesy of Kiko Pangilinan media team
Moreno is eyeing a return to the post he held from 2004 to 2013. In 2013, he ran for mayor of Cagayan de Oro City and won and was reelected in 2016 and 2019. Moreno was Representative of the 1stdistrict of Misamis Oriental for two terms, from 1998 to 2004.
“I am a resident of Balingasag who just went to Cagayan de Oro and got elected as mayor. Now I am coming back,” Moreno told his supporters at the rally in the town plaza.
Her daughter, Aimee, who is running as city councilor in the first district of Cagayan de Oro, introduced her father to the crowd of supporters.
Moreno is facing a three-cornered fight with 2nd district Rep. Juliette Uy (National Unity Party) and Gingoog City Vice Mayor Pedro Unabia (Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats). The NUP and LCMD parties are supporting Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos and his running mate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Moreno is supporting the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Pangilinan.
Peace consultant and vice gubernatorial candidate Ariel “Ayi” Hernandez emphasized a point during their rally in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental on Friday night, March 25, 2022. Hernandez is the running mate of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
Uy held her first rally in her hometown in Villanueva, creating a monstrous traffic jam along the highway on Friday afternoon.
Uy belongs to a political dynasty that has become well entrenched in western Misamis Oriental. Her husband, Julio, a former mayor of Villanueva, is running to replace her in the 2nd district.
Their daughter is Villanueva Mayor Jennie Uy-Mendez, who is seeking reelection.
Singer-dancer Gab Valenciano performs before supporters of Mayor Oscar Moreno in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental on Friday night March 25, 2022. Valenciano joined his uncle, Senator Kiko Pangilinan on Day 1 of the campaign of Moreno who wants to return as governor of Misamis Oriental, a post he held from 2004 to 2013. Moreno is supporting Vice President Leni Robredo and Pangilinan. MindaNews photo by FROILAN GALLARDO
Unabia’s son, Christian, is seeking reelection as Misamis Oriental 1st district congressman while his other son, Aaron, is running for reelection as mayor of Balingian town.
There are three other candidates running for Misamis Oriental Governor: Cynthia Mary Magallanes (Independent), Manuel Po (Independent) and Elena Sabuero, also running as an Independent candidate. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
