ALIPING TAKES SWIPE AT GO COUPLE’S DYNASTIC ATTEMPT
Former Baguio Rep. Nicasio Aliping, Jr. Wednesday took a swipe at his successor and the latter’s wife who are seeking the top two elective posts in the city. “Public service should not be a monopoly, much less between husband and wife,” Aliping told media personalities in an interview last Wednesday. Aliping is referring to successor Mark Go and wife Soledad who filed their candidacy for mayor and congressman, respectively. Aliping said that never in Baguio’s history did a husband and wife run for the top posts, Baguio started electing its officials in 1960.
Political heavyweights in the past included Luis Lardizabal, Mauricio Domogan and Bernardo Vergara never had their wives or a sibling or a family member elected at the same time. “We share public service,” said Aliping, a former councilor, about a week before official campaigning starts. Aliping said that dynasties never flourished in Baguio and never will But the Gos broke all tradition when the congressman filed his candidacy for mayor in October 7, five days after his wife filed her intent to seek the soon to be vacated post of the husband. City officials oppose the establishment of a dynasty here. “Never” cried councilors Jose Molintas and Arthur Alad-iw.
Domogan in an earlier interview said that it was the reason why he is running for congressman to oppose the Gos plan to corner the top two posts “I was even invited to run as mayor in tandem with Mrs. Go, then suddenly the husband filed his candidacy,” Domogan said. “So I filed my candidacy for congressman,” said Domogan, shattering the dream of his endorsement by other Congressional candidates like Aliping and Gladys Vergara. The Congressional race will be the most interesting ever with the two female candidates expecting to go in an all out war, with the two former congressmen as outliers. But Domogan and Aliping’s hopes had been ignited as they both have the experience for the job. Domogan is a former three termer, while Aliping served one term, from 2013 until 2016 when he was beaten by the male Go.
Pigeon Lobien
