Former deputy speaker Raneo Abu called for a stop to the political persecution and harassment aimed at his allies in the 2nd district of Batangas. This, following the detainment of Bauan Mayor Ryanh Dolor last Thursday, March 27, after he was taken into House custody shortly following his arrival from a medical trip to Los Angeles.
Dolor was cited in contempt for repeatedly skipping hearings of the House Committee on Public Accounts regarding the privatization of the Bauan Waterworks System, despite multiple summons.
Abu served as the Representative of Batangas’ 2nd Congressional District from 2013 to 2022 and was deputy speaker of the House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. When his term ended, his daughter Reina Abu ran against and lost to now-sitting Representative Gerville “Jinky” Luistro.
Raneo Abu is seeking a comeback in the May 2025 polls and urged his opponents to respect the political freedom of his allies.
“Tama na, tama na ang pagpapasakit sa mga kakampi ko sa pulitika. Huwag na sila ang pasakitan nya, sobra na yung nangyayaring pagpapakasakit ng mga leaders ko hanggang sa baba. Ako ang kalaban mo, ako ang iyong targetin. Ineexercise lang nila ang kanilang karapatan na pumili sa gusto nilang kandidato,” Raneo Abu appealed to his political rivals, referring to those whom he believes orchestrated Dolor’s arrest and the targeting of other municipal officials aligned with him.
Aside from Dolor, also embattled in controversies are the mayoralty candidates of all but one town in the district.
In the town of San Pascual, Comelec cancelled the certificate of candidacy (COC) of former Board Member Arlene Magboo, now running for mayor, due to false material representation. Her case is currently under appeal in the Supreme Court.
Also cancelled was the COC filed by Alfredo Evangelista Panopio, a security guard who filed his candidacy for Mayor of Tingloy and was declared a nuisance candidate.
Incumbent Mabini Mayor Nilo Villanueva, who is seeking re-election, announced last November that he had withdrawn his candidacy “for the sake of myself, for the sake of my family and for the sake of the municipality of Mabini.” He is facing charges for the illegal possession of explosives. His withdrawal leaves former Mayor Noel “Bitrics” Luistro, husband of Jinky Luistro, unopposed for the mayoralty seat.
In the town of Lobo, meanwhile, Mayor Lota Manalo is inching her way back to reclaim her seat after the Ombudsman found her guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and violation of the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 last September 2024. The Court of Appeals, however, recently reversed this decision, reinstating Manalo as mayor earlier this month.
Dolor, Magboo, Panopio, Villanueva and Manalo are all known allies of Abu in the 2nd district of Batangas.
“Tayong dalawa ang magharap. Nandyan naman ang eleksyon, gawin natin ang tamang proseso sa pamamagitan ng eleksyon,” Abuchallenged his rival. “Kung talagang napakagaling at napakahusay mo, wala kang dapat ikatakot, hindi ka dapat ma-insecure. Bigyan natin ng malayang pagpili ang mga tao sa distritong ito. Ang desisyon sa May 12 ang igalang natin,” he said. – Rappler.com