Yt Framework

The local Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan  (PDP-Laban) is considering Councilor Melchor Rey Sadain as a possible candidate for Congress in district one.

Sadain, who is serving his second term in the City Council, is being asked by his party mates to consider running for Congress, a reliable source said.
In the2007 elections, Sadain run for Councilor for the first time and landed in the top 4. He went for his second term in 2010 and again won with 58,700 votes placing him in the number 2 position in district one.

Two of Sadain’s brothers are also in government service. Engr. Emil Sadain is the Asst. Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) national office. He is also the Regional Secretary of the DPWH in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on secondment basis. Atty. Mehol Sadain on the other hand, was recently appointed by President Noynoy Aquino as Chairman of the National Commission for Muslim Affairs (NCMA) with a rank of cabinet secretary. He was also a commissioner in the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

The lawyer councilman is one of the few remaining councilors who freely voice out their opinion against some of the policies of the present administration. One of his many advocacies is the increase of the burial assistance for indigents from P3,800 to P5,000. He has also been pushing for the creation of an additional congressional district for the city saying the move will fast track the progress of Zamboanga.

In an interview with local PDP-Laban party chairman Councilor Rommel Agan, he confirmed that Sadain is one of those being considered to run for the post.

“Councilor Sadain is a good leader and he is more than qualified to represent the city in congress because of his professional background. He is independent minded and is always prioritizing the interest of the people.  He is one of those being considered by the party to run for Congress in district 1. But there is still no official decision on who will run for what position in the coming 2013 elections. We also have other possible contenders for that position like Councilor Jawo Jimenez. The party will have to decide on that soon.” Agan said.

The local PDP-Laban is reportedly engaged in talks for a possible coalition with former Congressman Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos who expressed his intentions to serve the people of the city where he was born. It is not yet clear whether the coalition will push through or not and for what position will Jalosjos run in Zamboanga City.

by: Nonong Santiago