The race for Baguio City’s congressional seat is heating up, with two women candidates vying for the position and a veteran politician attempting a comeback. Gladys Vergara: Building on a Legacy Leading the pack is Gladys Vergara, daughter of the late Bernie Vergara, a revered former mayor and congressman affectionately known as the “Action Man.” Bernie’s transformative projects, including the construction of Marcos Highway and its flyover and viaduct, pedestrian overpasses, covered basketball courts, the BGH and Baguio-La Trinidad flyovers, and the rehabilitation of City Camp Lagoon, left an enduring legacy in the city. Gladys has committed to continuing this legacy by focusing on impactful, visible projects that address the city’s needs. What sets Gladys apart is her extensive public service record. Before her father’s tenure, she served as Vice President of the Kabataang Barangay National Executive Council following her leadership as KB Federation President of Baguio. She also held prominent roles as a City Councilor (1988-92)and Vice Mayor by virtue of succession (1992), cementing her reputation as a competent and experienced leader. Gladys Vergara is currently the Chairman of the Baguio Tourism Council. Among the top contenders, Gladys’s dynamic leadership, stamina, and legislative expertise position her as a strong candidate capable of navigating the demands of the role. Sol Go: Behond the scenes to center stage Soledad “Sol” Go, the wife of outgoing Congressman Mark Go, has emerged as another key contender. With Congressman Mark Go now running for mayor against incumbent Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Sol is seeking to step into her husband’s congressional shoes. While Sol’s candidacy has sparked debate, her community engagement efforts, particularly targeting grassroots groups and senior citizens, have raised questions. Critics have noted the prevalence of dole-out initiatives, prompting discussions about the long-term sustainability and transparency of her approach. Concerns about campaign financing, fueled by speculation over the source of funds for Mark and Sol Go’s activities, further complicate public perception. As voters assess Sol’s qualifications and the nature of her campaign, they must decide whether her bid represents genuine public service or an extension of her husband’s political legacy. Atty.Maurico Domogan: A veteran’s last stand? Rounding out the top three contenders is Atty. Mauricio “Morris” Domogan, a seasoned politician who played a significant role in Baguio’s development alongside Bernie Vergara. Domogan’s decades-long public service career and contributions to key infrastructure projects are well-recognized. However, recent setbacks, including his 2019 loss to Mark Go in the congressional race and his 2022 mayoral defeat to Benjamin Magalong, have raised questions about whether it is time for him to retire from politics. Critics argue that Domogan’s advanced age and recent losses signal a waning ability to meet the physical and emotional demands of public office. The electorate now faces the challenge of evaluating whether experience and legacy outweigh the need for fresh energy, vision, and sincerity in leadership. The Road Ahead As the campaign unfolds, voters will grapple with contrasting visions, leadership styles, and approaches to governance among the candidates. Ultimately, the choice will hinge on who can best address Baguio City’s evolving needs while embodying the qualities of transparency, accountability, and genuine public service. PR

By Zaldy Comanda BAGUIO CITY – Inilatag ni Gladys Vergara ang kanyang kandidatura bilang kinatawan ng siyudad ng Baguio sa kongreso na kaakibat ang mga programa at adhikain na mapaunlad ang antas ng pamumuhay, kapayapaan at ekonomiya sa pakikipag-pulong nito sa mga religious leaders,noong Enero 16. Ipinangako din ni Gladys sa harap ng mga religious group na ipagpapatuloy niya  ang mga legacy ng kanyang ama na si dating Congressman at Mayor Bernie M. Vergara, na kilala bilang “Action Man,” na gumawa ng mahusay na dedikasyon sa serbisyo publiko at pagpapaunlad ng imprastraktura sa panahon ng kanyang panunungkulan. Is sa mga iprinisinta ni Gladys ay ang pamamahagi ng mga solar lights sa bawat barangay na nangangailangan pailawan ang mga kalsada upang pakinabangan ng mga residente sa gabi at laban sa mga masasamang-loob. Aniya, mahalagang mapangalagaan ang seguridad ng bawat mamamayan sa kani-kanilang lugar. “Mahirap at nakakatakot maglakad sa madilim na lugar, andyan ang banta ng panganib, kaya dapat maging concern tayo sa ganitong bagay.” Ipinamahagi din Gladys ang libro ng kanyang ama na may titulong ‘One for the Road’ na kung saan ay naglalaman ito ng mga programa at proyektong natapos sa panahong ng kanyang pagsisilbi bilang ‘Ama at Kinatawan’ ng siyudad ng Baguio. Si Gladys, ay kasalukuyang chairperson ng Baguio Tourism Council, na nag-ambag ng malaking kontribusyon sa larangan ng pagpapalago ng turismo at mga mahahalagang aktibidad sa siyudad ng Baguio. Sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, pinaigting ng konseho ang mga pagsisikap na isulong ang kakaibang kagandahan, pamana ng kultura, at natural na kagandahan ng lungsod, na nakakaakit ng mga lokal at internasyonal na bisita. Sa kanyang kandidatura, ang “Glad to Serve’ ay simbolo ng kanyang maka-Diyos, tapat at masaganang-serbisyo sa gobyerno at mamamayan ng siyudad ng Baguio.

BAGUIO CITY – Nangakong ipagpapatuloy ni Gladys Vergara ang legacy ng kanyang ama na si dating Congressman at Mayor Bernie M. Vergara, na kilala bilang “Action Man,” na nakuha ng reputasyon para sa kanyang dedikasyon sa serbisyo publiko at pagpapaunlad ng imprastraktura sa panahon ng kanyang panunungkulan. Si Gladys Vergara, ay kasalukuyang chairperson ng Baguio Tourism Council, na nag-ambag ng malaking kontibusyon sa larangan ng pagpapalago ng turismo at mga mahahalagang aktibidad sa siyudad ng Baguio. Sa ilalim ng kanyang pamumuno, pinaigting ng konseho ang mga pagsisikap na isulong ang kakaibang kagandahan, pamana ng kultura, at natural na kagandahan ng lungsod, na nakakaakit ng mga lokal at internasyonal na bisita. Ang kanyang ama ay nagsilbi bilang General Manager ng Philippine Tourism Authority bago lumipat sa isang matagumpay na karera sa pulitika bilang Congressman at Mayor ng Baguio City. Binibigyang-diin ng background na ito ang kanilang ibinahaging hilig para iangat ang Baguio bilang pangunahing sentro ng turismo. Ipinahayag ni Gladys Vergara, na kandidatong Congressman sa Baguio City, ang kanyang determinasyon na ipagpatuloy at kumpletuhin ang mga hakbangin na ito, na tinitiyak na ang pananaw ng kanyang ama para sa lungsod ay magiging katotohanan. Binibigyang-diin niya ang kahalagahan ng transparency at pananagutan sa paggamit ng mga pampublikong pondo at iginiit na ang taongbayan ay may karapatang malaman kung paano ginagastos ang mga pambatasan. Si Gladys ay lubos na naniniwala na ang mga pondong ito ay dapat na idirekta sa mga nasasalat at masusukat na proyekto na makabuluhang nakikinabang sa komunidad. Sa kanyang pangako na itaguyod ang mga prinsipyo ng kanyang ama at ipagpatuloy ang kanyang mga makabuluhang programa, hinahangad ni Gladys na makuha ang tiwala at suporta ng mga tao sa kanyang bid para sa pampublikong opisina. Kabilang sa mga kapansin-pansing nagawa ng kanyang ama ay ang pagtatayo ng isang flyover na nag-uugnay sa Baguio City sa La Trinidad at ang pagtatatag ng mga pedestrian lane na nag-uugnay sa mga pangunahing landmark sa lungsod. Ang isa sa kanyang pinaka-ambisyosong proyekto, ang circumferential road na nilayon upang mapahusay ang kadaliang kumilos at mabawasan ang pagsisikip ng trapiko, ay nananatiling hindi natapos mula noong katapusan ng kanyang termino. Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mga inisyatiba, layunin ni Gladys Vergara na buuin ang legacy ng kanyang ama habang nagpapakilala ng mga makabagong estratehiya para gawing sustainable at globally competitive na destinasyon ang Baguio. Ang kanyang pangako sa turismo ay nagpapakita ng kanyang dedikasyon sa pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya at pagpapanatili ng mayamang kultura na pagkakakilanlan ng lungsod para sa mga susunod na henerasyon.

  BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong and his teammates under Good Governance Alliance officially filed their Certificate of Candidacy, on October 8. The filing day kicked off with a citywide bike ride with supporters of the Good Governance Get Involved campaign, followed by an indigenous ritual led by Baguio IPMR Maximo Edwin Jr., and an assembly with supporters from various sectors at Sunshine Park. In the upcoming 2025 elections, Magalong will be running under the banner of Good Governance Alliance composed of both veterans and stalwarts of good governance alongside new faces and emerging young leaders committed to the same vision of upholding governance with excellence and integrity. Part of the alliance is incumbent Councilor Isabelo “Poppo” Cosalan Jr., who is running for a congressional seat, while incumbent Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan seeks a third term in his current position. Veterans Councilor Jose Molintas, Councilor Peter Fianza, and Councilor Fred Bagbagen are also running for re-election. Joining the slate as new candidates are SK Federation President John Rhey Mananeng, Lower Quirino Hill Punong Barangay Van Dicang, South Central Aurora Hill Punong Barangay Levy Orcales, Atty. Paolo Salvosa, Pam Cariño, Spencer Basbas, Yuri Kiaco Weygan, and Engr. Jun Orca, all vying for seats at the Baguio City Council. As part of the Good Governance Get Involved campaign of the Magalong administration, Good Governance Alliance presents a 7-Point Core Agenda of their campaign: Environment, Land Use, and Energy; Climate and Disaster Resilience; Urban Regeneration; Youth Empowerment; Economic Recovery and Development; Smart City Management and good governance.        

BAGUIO CITY – Baguio Tourism Council Chair Gladys Vergara, formally filed her candidacy for Baguio City’s lone congressional seat ,on October 7. Gladys is the eldest daughter and political successor of retired Congressman Bernie Vergara. Along with her is Glenn Gaerlan,who filed for City Councilor. Following weeks of reflection, prayer, and consultation with her community, Gladys decided to pursue the seat once held by her father, who served with distinction for 12 years starting in 1992. She expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she received and the role it played in her decision to run for office. “After much thought and prayer, I made the decision to run for Congress, offering my track record of service and leadership to the people of Baguio,” Gladys shared. She highlighted the strong encouragement from her community during her barangay visits as a significant factor in her decision to seek public office. Aside from being a successful entrepreneur, Gladys has served as the Chair BTC since 2019, a role in which she has been instrumental in revitalizing the city’s tourism economy during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing tourism as a primary economic driver for Baguio City. Gladys affirmed her readiness to represent the city in Congress, saying, “My father’s legacy of exceptional public service will continue to guide me as I work to represent the interests of our people.” Throughout her years of service, Gladys has held various leadership roles, starting as Sangguniang Kabataan Chair of Upper Quirino-Magsaysay (QM) Barangay, later becoming the head of the city’s SK Federation and a regional leader for Ilocos and the Cordillera. She then became a city councilor and was elevated to Vice Mayor of Baguio City by virtue of succession. In addition to her public service, Gladys has earned respect in Baguio’s business community as a successful entrepreneur andan advocate for renewable energy projects and initiatives aimed at addressing climate change, contributing to a more sustainable future. “I offer my gifts and experience in service to our community, praying that I may represent our people with competence, compassion, and integrity,” she said.