DAGUPAN CITY—In a significant political development in Dagupan City, incumbent city councilor Celia Lim, widow of former mayor and Pangasinan 4th District Representative Benjamin Lim, has announced her candidacy for the city’s mayoralty post. This decision sets the stage for a notable electoral contest, as she will be running against current Mayor Belen Fernandez in the upcoming elections.
According to Philippines News Agency, Celia Lim filed her certificate of candidacy at the local Commission on Elections office this Monday, along with her son, former Mayor Marc Brian Lim, who is aiming for the vice mayoralty post. The Lim family’s return to the political forefront in Dagupan City is marked by a platform of “positive change,” as articulated by Celia Lim during her candidacy announcement. “I have a calling that there is a need for positive change for Dagupan City. I accepted this calling so that there would be a good example for Dagupan, not just to win the election,” she explained, emphasizing her campaign’s focus on principle, conscience, values, and morality.
Marc Brian Lim, reflecting on his previous tenure and electoral experiences, underscored the importance of the city council’s role in governance. He previously served as vice mayor and then as mayor, before losing to Fernandez in the 2022 elections. His return to the political arena alongside his mother highlights a strategic familial alliance aimed at reclaiming leadership in Dagupan City.
The incumbents, Mayor Belen Fernandez and Vice Mayor Dean Brian Kua, who have already filed their candidacies, will be defending their positions in what is anticipated to be a closely watched and contested electoral battle. The dynamics of this election will be closely monitored, given the history of political rivalry and the prominent profiles of the candidates involved.