Businessman Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda (far left) comes out in public to support his daughter, Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab (second from left), who aspires as mayor of the City of San Fernando in Pampanga. | PHOTO: Tonette T. Orejas INQ
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The usually scarce businessman Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda came out in public on Monday to accompany his daughter in filing her certificate of candidacy (COC) as mayor of this capital of Pampanga province.
Former provincial board member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab filed her COC six months after she, her husband, and her father transferred their voters’ registration from Lubao town to here last April 16.
Pineda said he wanted Cayabyab to “do her best in serving the masses and in working for its progress like other past mayors did.”
The fourth child of Pineda, Cayabyab said she wanted to offer “good leadership to the city that is the face of Pampanga and heart of the Central Luzon region.”
Cayabyab served three terms as mayor of Lubao. She resigned from the provincial board last July and opted to work as executive assistant to her elder brother Gov. Dennis Pineda.
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Also in politics are her mother, Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, and elder sister, Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda.
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Asked for reactions on political dynasties, Cayabyab said “The quality of leadership matters most.”
In Cayabyab’s team called “MySan Fernando,” she drew as running mate Vice Mayor BJ “Tiger” Lagman, six reelectionist councilors, and four new candidates, including the wife of San Miguel Beermen coach Ato Agustin.
They attended a holy Mass before filing their COCs at the Commission on Elections local office.
A graduate of Miriam College, Cayabyab’s platform prioritizes livelihood, health, and education.
As a board member, she started the titling of lands where public schools stand and registered these in the name of the Department of Education.
She also began the campaign to legislate Pampanga as the culinary capital of the Philippines.
Rarely seen in political events, Bong Pineda had openly criticized Mayor Vilma Caluag for her supposed “lack of leadership” and her “preoccupation with TikTok.”
He had shunned public attention after Senate investigations linked him to the illegal number game jueteng. He had denied operating it, saying he was into property development and other businesses.
While he is seen in public supporting the projects of Cayabyab, Pineda had not openly campaigned for his wife, his son, and another daughter.
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After surviving Covid-19 in 2020, Pineda reportedly built churches and sponsored the regular medical treatments of 300 cancer patients at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital here.
