BAGUIO CITY – Incumbent Rep. Mark Go underscored that his decision to run for the city’s mayoralty post and his wife aspiring for the lone congressional post is not a political dynasty but will bring synergy in the government affairs in the city.
Go, who filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor under the Villar-dominated Nacionalista Party (NP), claimed that there is no political dynasty to speak of in the present case because for more than eight years that he was a lawmaker, his wife, Soledad Go, had been is alter ego in the numerous affairs in the city that he could not attend because of his busy schedule attending to his law making duty in Congress.
The three-term lawmaker pointed out that because of her active involvement in the various community activities in the city, his wife is familiar with the issues and concerns of the people on the ground that need to be acted upon not only by the local government but also concerned government agencies and even the private sector, thus, there will be synergy in addressing the said issues and concerns with him and his wife in the congressional and mayoralty post.
Go, known as Baguio’s Working Congressman and for his productive congressional performance, officially filed his COC for Mayor of Baguio in the 2025 Philippine General Elections. Go and his fellow candidates submitted their COCs at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Baguio Office on the morning of October 7, 2024.
Go’s stellar congressional record includes prompt delivery of social services, corruption-free infrastructure projects that have uplifted barangays and schools across the city, and local and national legislation on education, health, and senior citizens, among many.
Because of these achievements, Baguio citizens have urged him to run in recognition of a need for a Baguio City Mayor who has an effective and uncompromising public service record.
“It was a very tough decision. But today, I am humbly and prayerfully answering the call of Baguio to serve as your Mayor. Our city deserves a government that puts Baguio and its people first, with zero tolerance for corruption and true good governance. I will prioritize Baguio and continue to walk the talk. We will do this with the same competence, speed, compassion, and integrity that have defined my years in Congress,” Go said.
He pointed out that it will still be the city’s electorate that will decide on their fate in politics that is why they are offering themselves to continue the delivery of quality basic services to the people without fear or favor.
For her part, Soledad Go, who earlier filed her COC for the city’s lone congressional seat under the LAKAS-CMD party of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, said that she is offering her services to the people as their representative to the House considering that she had actually been with them for over a decade now being the official alter ego of Go in whatever affairs in the city.
Sol Go is a well known and established advocate for livelihood and education in the city. For almost a decade now, Ms. Go has been irrefutably been with the people and communities of the city. She has meaningfully and effectively collaborated with them on livelihood, education, and barangay initiatives. While her community supporters are living testimonies of her excellent track record and character, she takes on the challenge to transcend these achievements and further champion the needs and interests of the people of Baguio in Congress. She pledges to continue the brand of speedy, competent, compassionate, and clean service of the incumbent Baguio Congressman along with an ultimate invitation to her fellow slatemates, Baguio communities, and even those currently serving to be “Maka-Baguio.”
“Habang marami na tayong napagtagumpayan sa ating adbokasiya para sa edukasyon at kabuhayan, mas matayog pa ang ating mararating kung lahat tayo ay uunahin ang Baguio, ang mga komunidad nito, at ang pagpupursigi na walang nang malalaglag pa sa laylayan. Kasama ang ating mga konsehal, inaanyayahan ko po tayong lahat. Sa panahong ito, wala tayong ibang dapat gawin kung hindi unahin ang Baguio upang makamit natin ang inklusibong pag unlad at quality of life na kailangan at deserve natin. Halina’t maging Maka-Baguio tayo!” said Sol Go.
Maka-Baguio Tayo is an invitation to everyone to put the needs and interests of the People of Baguio First. At a time where quality of life and living in Baguio is in decline, Baguio communities must be prioritized and empowered to inclusively put forward and implement solutions that champions the marginalized and leaves no one behind. For Team Maka-Baguio Tayo, this is their mandate and urgent response to what matters at the end of the day: the needs and interests of the peoples and communities of Baguio.
On the other hand, three-term Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon, who is known for her commitment to transparency, accountability and achieving a corruption-free government, will be serving as Go’s running mate for vice mayor under the said party.
“I have consistently advocated for public participation in governance, ensuring that every voice matters. I pledge my full support to each and every member of Team Maka-Baguio Tayo. As your next Vice Mayor, we will continue standing up for real good governance where we consult communities and build a true peoples’ legislative agenda–not the agenda of the mayor or of the few,” Yaranon said.
Yaranon admitted that the City Council is now in chaos because of the biases of most of the members that is why she wants a local legislative body that is independent and free from the machinations of the local chief executive for whatever their interests as what is important is the interest of the people of Baguio and not the interest of a few that is being prioritized. By HENT
