Mayor Vic Loot may not seek reelection
Due to security threats, Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot may no longer seek reelection in May 2019.
Loot’s stepson, Cebu Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura, told reporters that his stepfather has yet to make a final decision but he admitted they are having second thoughts of fielding him again for the mayoral seat.
“With my stepdad’s situation right now, we are thinking twice if ipadayon ba niya ang iyang pagpanerbisyo although daghan kaayong nakauyon sa iyang pagpanerbisyo,” he said.
Loot himself told The Freeman that he has no plans yet for the midterm polls.
“I preferred to lay low for a while and attend to my personal security reasons,” Loot said in a text message.
In connection with this, the town mayor asked for the understanding of the press that he is no longer as accessible as he was before.
Loot has been publicly accused by President Rodrigo Duterte that he is involved in the illegal drug trade.
In one instance, President Duterte said that a room in Loot’s property is full of illegal drugs.
In response, the mayor said his residence is open for checking anytime. But the police did not check the mayor’s house because a search should only be done when it is “intelligencedriven.”
Loot is serving his first term as the town mayor.
Shimura said that their family will be looking for someone who will be fielded as candidate for mayor should Loot decide not to seek reelection.
Shimura has served three terms as town mayor before he was elected as a board member.
Her mother, Maria Luisa Loot, has also served as mayor before Shimura. She is the incumbent vice mayor of Daanbantayan town.
With Shimura serving his last term as a provincial legislator, he expressed that he is open to running again for mayor or for another local position.