Former Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)
administrator Benjie Oliva is definitely running for
mayor of Catigbian town.
Oliva made the revelation during the Dec. 28,
2023, episode of Newsmakers Ug Uban Pa,
anchored by Ardy Araneta-Batoy, who is also the
managing editor of The Bohol Tribune.
Incumbent Mayor Elizabeth Mandin-Pace is
reportedly stepping down at the end of her current
term to focus on her business located in Manila.
“Yes. Confirmed na sya Ma’am Ardy nga modagan
ta as mayor sa lungsod sa Catigbian sa 2025. Kay
kinahanglan pod nato ipahibaw kay daghan pod
mga tawo nga mangutana ug modagan ba ka sir,
modagan ba ka. Ako lang gitubag, modagan ko,”
Oliva quipped.
Oliva is a member of the Aksyon Demokratiko
Party. He is also a member of the Catigbian
coalition. The coalition is made up of local leaders
who come from different political parties.
He also said he and his group commit to
supporting Cong. Edgar Chatto and Gov. Erico
Aristole Aumentado.
Furthermore, some members of his group are
gearing towards having a neutral stance as far as
other positions outside of governor and
congressman are concerned.
While some members want to support the
incumbent officials of the province.
Apparently, nothing is cast in stone as of the
moment.
“Automatic nga ang among congressman si Edgar
Chatro,” he said.
Oliva said he supports Chatto all the way because
the former is convinced about the latter’s ability to
lead and care for the Boholanos.
“Sa governor, most likely, pagkakaron gyud ma’am
Ardy ang among kapitan ug mga kauban sa
consultation possible nga si Gov. Aris Aumentado.
I finalize pa na pero murag Aumentado-Chatto ang
Catigbian,” Oliva said.
WIFE’S PLANS
Oliva also revealed that his wife, Joan, might run
for a seat on the provincial board. Joan, a lawyer,
is a native of Tagbilaran City.
“Naay possibility, ma’am Ardy nga basin modagan
ug board member kay naa pod paglantaw pod
namo nga magsettle na mi sa lalawigan sa Bohol,”
the former youth leader said during the interview.
Oliva, a former official of the National Youth
Commission (NYC), thinks his wife, being a
lawyer, could be a perfect fit for the provincial
board.
“Nagkinahanglan ta ug dugang nga abogado sa
atong hunta probinsyal, sa atong Sangguniang
Panlalawigan,” he told Araneta-Batoy.
Joan currently works at the Department of
Agriculture as division chief at the Internal Audit
Service, Oliva said.
However, Oliva said consultations will be
conducted before finalizing plans for Joan to run
for board member.
If members of his group insist on supporting
incumbent board members, Oliva’s wife might no
longer pursue her political aspirations.
Oliva said that he and his group are working on the
Asenso Catigbianon development agenda. He said
the group will be backing leaders who will support
the said development agenda.