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Former Cagayan de Oro mayor Oscar Moreno launches his bid to reclaim the city’s mayoralty, challenging his former ally, Mayor Klarex Uy
CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines – Former Cagayan de Oro mayor Oscar Moreno and the Padayon Pilipino of the Emano political family have ended years of rivalry to unite against a common adversary: the group of reelectionist Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy.
On Monday, October 7, Moreno officially launched his bid to reclaim the city’s mayoralty, filing his certificate of candidacy and challenging Uy, who was once his political ally until their fallout after the 2022 elections.
Moreno is running under the banner of the National Unity Party (NUP), with support from Padayon Pilipino, the party founded by the late Vicente Emano, former Misamis Oriental governor and Cagayan de Oro mayor.
The alliance was made possible through 1st District Representative Lordan Suan, who brokered the peace between Moreno and Emano loyalists who had long considered him their political enemy.
Suan expressed confidence in Moreno, citing his leadership and his health care initiatives as crucial for Cagayan de Oro’s future.
“There were small differences, which were understandable given their past, but the negotiations for the alliance went smoothly,” Suan said.
The rivalry between Moreno and the late Emano was bitter, stemming from Moreno’s 2013 victory over the Padayon Pilipino leader in the mayoral race.
Outgoing Misamis Oriental Board Member Gerardo “Buboy” Sabal, a Padayon Pilipino member, voiced optimism that any divisions within the party regarding Moreno would be healed in the months leading up to the May elections.
Councilor Yevonna Yacine “Yvy” Emano said the party would follow the direction of her brother, Misamis Oriental 2nd District Representative Yevgeny Emano, the leader of Padayon Pilipino, who appointed Suan as the party’s Cagayan de Oro chapter chair.
“We will support whatever decision Suan makes as the party leader in Cagayan de Oro. We honor our word,” Emano said.
Edmundo Pacamalan Jr., secretary-general of Padayon Pilipino, acknowledged that accepting Moreno wasn’t easy for party members.
“Many of our barangay leaders resisted the idea of supporting Moreno, but in the end, when asked who could be an alternative, they didn’t have an answer,” Pacamalan told Rappler.
Pacamalan said the party would back Moreno to help Suan, whose reelection bid is being challenged by Uy’s son, Reiner Joaquin, the barangay chairman of the city’s most populous barangay.
The Uys and the family of reelectionist Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez have formed an alliance to block Moreno’s return, unseat Suan, and maintain dominance in the city council.
Moreno, meanwhile, said he decided to run for his old position because he was dissatisfied with the city government’s performance, particularly in addressing issues such as water supply, traffic congestion, and waste management.
“The city is going nowhere,” Moreno said.
Moreno and Uy severed their political ties shortly after the 2022 elections for unclear reasons. However, speculation suggests their rift stemmed from Reiner Joaquin Uy’s defeat to Suan in the 1st District congressional race in 2022. – Rappler.com
