Re-electionist City Councilor Peter “Jimbo” Q. Maristela filed for election as an independent candidate, separating himself from the city’s biggest party list as he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as part of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Tuesday, October 16, 2018.
“Tayo po ay nag file under ng United Nationalist Alliance o UNA. Pero dito po sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa ay tayo lang po ang kandidato ng UNA, kaya mag isa po tayo sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa kaya considered na din as independent. Pinasya natin na kumuha ng partido, sapagkat naniniwala tayo na magiging iba pa din yung tingin ng ating mga botante kapag may partido tayo,na kapag may partido tayo ay isipin nila na tlagang seryoso tayong kandidato,” he said.
Maristela stated that he filed as independent because he believe that an administration should include an independent minded councilor who is independent from the majority in the council’. “Sa atin po gusto natin manatili as independent, independent sa city council. Sapagkat naniniwala tayo na sa city council dapat ay merong hindi kasamang administrasyon ng majority,” said Maristela.
He said that being independent from the majority in the council does not mean he is opposing from the rest of the administrasyon. Maristela explained, his independence means going for what is good for the people of Puerto Princesa and can disagree from the body if it will not benefit the people. “Sa tingin natin dapat may independent doon.
Independent minded na hindi kaya diktahan ng administrasyon pero hindi ibig sabihin nun ay oposisyon ka. Independent as sasama ka kung ang makikita mo na ang pamantayan mo ay makakabuti sa nakakarami at kung di naman nakakabuti ay may dahilan ka para tumanggi,” said Maristela.