Investor to run as Cordova mayor to protect reclamation

It’s a three-ring fight for the mayorship of Cordova town.

Aside from the father-son bids of Adelino and Arleigh Sitoy, the 23-year-old vice president of Malayan Integrated Industries Corp. (MIIC) has joined the contest to ensure that his company’s stalled reclamation project is implemented.

Paul Villaber, son of MIIC president Pablo Villaber, said any delays in the 3,500-hectare reclamation project would deprive town residents of jobs and economic opportunities.

“Malayan has a crucial interest in the area. With the election is coming, the best solution is to protect our interests,” he said.

The young Villaber finished business management at the Ateneo de Davao University and is on his second year in law school at the University of San Carlos.

Villaber listed barangay Poblacion as his residence where’s been staying for two years.

His running mate is former town councilor Edwina Premacio of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Villaber said that while he still doesn’t have a council slate, he is considering to adopt some of the independent candidates.

He said while Cordova town is located near highly urbanized cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu, the third class municipality continues to be a “dead town.”

“My vision is to develop the area (Cordova) into a first-class city,” he said.

Although a non-Cebuano, Villaber said he is challenging the Sitoy clan of Cordova.

“I have the guts and machinery to be a perfect opposition. The people of Cordova are already tired of them (the Sitoys),” he said.