Silay City Mayor Carlo Gamban and Jose "Oti" Montelibano set the stage for another mayoralty duel, with the filing of their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections yesterday.

Saying he was deprived of a victory three years ago, Montelibano said he is "seeking another mandate from the people of Silay City fired by the same vision of a progressive and well-developed city that is not stunted or dulled by maladministration and corruption".

In a Feb. 1 decision, the Commission on Election First Division ordered Gamban to step down as mayor, saying Montelibano obtained 19,392 votes, or 138 votes over Gamban's 19,254 votes in the May 2004 polls. "From the beginning, I knew I won in the 2004 election. That is why I had to fight it out," Montelibano said.

Montelibano contested the results in barangays I, II, II, IV, V, VI, Bagtic, Balaring, Kapitan Ramon, Eustaquio Lopez, Guimbalaon, Guinhalaran, Lantad, Mambulac, Patag and Rizal.

Gamban has appealed the decision. He said he won by 354 votes after the canvassing and 343 in the revision and recount so it is strange that he lost in the recount.

"I won (in the) canvassing and got proclaimed. I won also in the recount and the revision," Gamban maintained.

Gamban, who is seeking a third term, also dared his critics to file a case against him, if they have solid evidence that his administration is corrupt.

He also pointed out that a report made by the Asian Institute of Management in 2005 showed that bribery does not exist in Silay City.

"I have no record in the Commission on Audit of a single suspension or disallowance in any transaction of the city," he added.

Montelibano said that he wants to implement programs that will make Silay a haven for information technology, tourists, retirees and schools for higher learning with a business-friendly government.

"It is a tremendous challenge for me to be at the helm of leadership in Silay but I have a very clear vision of what Silay City should be," he said.

Gamban will have incumbent vice-mayor Jay Jalandoni as running-mate, while Mark Golez is running for vice-mayor under Montelibano.

Incumbent councilors Mario Torres, Dr. Dan Sagario, Marijun Castro and Warlito Go are seeking re-election under Gamban.

They are joined in the party by Mario Gamboa, the ex-oficio president of the Association of Barangay Captains, Joy Ruiz, John Javinez, Mykol Velez, Buddy Segovia.

Pop-I Locsin heads the roster of councilor aspirants under Montelibano's party. Locsin is also a guest candidate of Gamban.

"I believe in his (Locsin's) performance," Gamban said.

Also filing their CoC's under Montelibano are Mike Maravilla, Linda Caja, Titot Jison, Clarisse "Imak" Salmingo, Ireneo "Toto" Celis, Joserito Lapu-os, Ramon Pollentes, Dr. Luisito Gamboa and Porferio Diaz. *CPT

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