MISAMIS Oriental Governor Peter Unabia has officially endorsed his son, Joshua Unabia, 34, as the mayoral candidate for Balingasag, the second-largest town in the province by voting population, with more than 50,000 registered voters.
The announcement was made on October 4 as part of the Paglaum-Padayon Pilipino Alliance.
Joshua Unabia, making his political debut, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on the same day alongside Town Councilor Marbelle Abogado-Quilnat, who is running for vice mayor.
Quilnat is the daughter of former Balingasag mayor Marrietta Abogado, a longtime political ally of former Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno, who also filed her candidacy for town councilor under the Unabia-Quilnat slate.
Joshua is the third son of Governor Unabia to enter politics, following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Congressman Christian Unabia of the province’s First Congressional District.
Joshua expressed his commitment to visiting each barangay to understand local concerns.
In other developments, Khen Ralph Puertas, son of Lagonglong Mayor Jay Albert Puertas, filed his candidacy for mayor under the same alliance in Lagonglong.
On October 6, Town Councilor Kim Michael Odchigue submitted his COC for mayor in Medina, while Mayor Danilo Lagbas Jr. filed for re-election in Kinoguitan, both running under the National Unity Party (NUP).
Odchigue’s running mate, former Mayor Pacifico Pupos, has yet to file his candidacy but is expected to do so before the deadline.
