It will be a three-cornered fight for the mayoralty post in Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.

Samson Mondia, the brother of incumbent mayor Luis Mondia, will fight it out against second cousin Crisanto Mondia and lawyer Magdaleno Peña, who is running as an independent. Samson is running under the KAMPI-United Negros Alliance and has received the backing of Peña's younger brother, Bonifacio, who said that he is dismayed by Magdaleno's alleged harassment and blackmailing of the squatters in Pulupandan.

"We can not allow the things that he (Magdaleno) is doing in Pulupandan. He has no heart. If he wins, he (Magdaleno) will still kick out the others there," Bonifacio said in an interview yesterday.

Although he has filed ejection notices against 3,000 squatters in their clan's property in Pulupandan, Magdaleno said he is ready to help 80 percent of them find relocation sites.

He said he does not mind the declaration of Bonifacio to support Samson Mondia because he has also received the backing of his sisters, Sylvia and Vicky.

Bonifacio also declared his intention to donate 5-hectares of land as relocation site for the squatters.

Running alongside Peña is his brother-in-law Antonio Suatengco, who will banner the Partido ng Masang Pilipino. Suatengco will go head-to-head against incumbent councilor Julia Seminio, who is running under the LAKAS party.

Pena's line-up also includes his uncle, Fred Montilla, nephew Gerany Suatengco, Ernesto Amechaechura, Emerson Cepeda, Wesley Espinosa, Ligaya Mañoso Maravilla, Bitoy Udani and Boy Tenero.

Samson Mondia's line-up is composed of councilor aspirants Alberto Jacildo (LAKAS), Salvador Javier (LAKAS), Hedy Gonzales (KAMPI), Edgardo Donasco (KAMPI), Tito Jacildo (KAMPI) and Lowell Del Carmen (KAMPI).

Mayor Luis Mondia last night claimed that the other Mondia running for mayor, Crisanto, was pressured to run by Magdaleno, who later denied the mayor's claim.

The mayor also clarified that Crisanto's nickname is "Nonoy" and not "Sani" as the mayoralty aspirant had registered in the certificate of candidacy he filed before the Commission on Elections.

"Obviously, it's a move that is aimed at invalidating the votes for Sammy," the mayor said.

Peña said he plans to improve the economic status of Pulupandan by promoting non-polluting industries. He said he plans to make the town an economic processing zone similar to Batangas or Cavite. *CPT

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