Pimentel surprised by Teodoro’s bid as his rival in Marikina’s 1st district
MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III filed on Sunday his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) as the representative of Marikina’s first district on the sixth day of the filing of COCs in San Juan City.
Asked about his plans, Pimentel said he aims to address the city’s flood problems and revive the shoe industry.
“First, the shoe industry. As a senator, I was involved in the free trade agreements. I saw there the importance of those shoes. We should be able to benefit from the free trade agreement that we entered into in treaty forms. So I will make sure to revive the shoe industry in Marikina,” Pimentel said in Filipino.
“And of course, the problem of flooding in the city. I experienced flooding twice. Kat also got flooded twice,” he added.
Pimentel likewise mentioned Marikina’s debt, which he claimed is one of the highest among other cities.
Article continues after this advertisement“The debt of the city is huge. In fact, if you will make the debt per capita, divide by the population, I think one of the highest is Marikina. So, we need to focus on fiscal management in the city of Marikina,” he said.
Pimentel is set to fight incumbent Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro in the 2025 polls, after the latter filed his COC for the same position on October 5.
Miscommunication?
When asked about his relationship with Teodoro, the senator revealed that it was Teodoro who encouraged him to run as the city’s first district representative.
“I will present myself to the people of Marikina as an alternative because we were invited by Mayor Marcy to run in District One. As a matter of fact, as a show of good faith, he moved to District Two to run there. [But ] yesterday, he filed for District One,” Pimentel disclosed.
Pimentel said he was surprised by Teodoro’s action, saying they did not discuss this move.
“Do not make promises you cannot keep. A man without word of honor is nothing. That’s why the standard of living in Marikina, let’s raise it. That’s why I signed the pledge. It stated there – no lying, no gossiping; no maligning of others,” Pimentel said.