What’s next for Mandaue City?
Get an exclusive look at mayoral candidate Gepind Reqiuerme as he shares his vision and plans for the city in SunStar Cebu's Beyond the Ballot 2025 interview.
Don’t miss this chance to hear what’s in store for Mandaue’s future—straight from the candidate himself!
Get an exclusive look at mayoral candidate Gepind Reqiuerme as he shares his vision and plans for the city in SunStar Cebu's Beyond the Ballot 2025 interview.
Don’t miss this chance to hear what’s in store for Mandaue’s future—straight from the candidate himself!
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NewsTranscript
00:00Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon, Cebu. Welcome to Sunstar's Beyond the Ballot Series 2025.
00:22This is a series of interviews for our candidates this coming midterm elections.
00:28I'm Mildred Galarpe. And I'm DJ Moises.
00:32And as we approach the 2025 midterm elections, this program offers an in-depth look at the candidates vying for the mayoral seat in Mandawi City through a series of one-on-one interviews.
00:45Each episode will feature an interview. The first 30 minutes will be allocated for us to get to know the candidates, who they are, what they stand for, and their vision for the city.
00:57And the remaining time we will spend for them to answer the five core questions in 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
01:04To give you a better understanding of how this interview will unfold, let's take a look at the mechanics.
01:12Hello, viewers. Welcome to Sunstar Cebu's Beyond the Ballot Series.
01:18This program is divided into two segments, the candidate's profile and the five core questions.
01:24Here are the mechanics. For candidate profile, each mayoral candidate will be interviewed for 30 minutes, during which they will discuss their past work, advocacies, and reasons for running.
01:37For five core questions, each candidate will have 2 minute and 30 seconds to answer five key questions.
01:44This time limit ensures equal opportunity for all candidates while keeping responses concise and focused.
01:50Now, let's head back to the studio.
01:54To ensure fairness, the candidates received the five core questions one day ahead of the interview schedule.
02:01And we're excited to announce our mayoral candidates have accepted our invitation to join us today.
02:08And here are your candidates for the mayor of Mandawi City.
02:13Today, we are joined by Mr. Jipen Rikermi.
02:34Jipen Rikermi. Very unique name and I'm very excited to know where the origin of the name Gikan DJ.
02:44Yeah, I think we can start with the first name of Gikan.
02:48My father worked in Indonesia and she brought my mother.
02:59By the way, my father is in Buhol and my mother is in Ilocos.
03:05So my father brought my mother in Indonesia.
03:09I mean, he worked as a machinist in a logging company and I was born there.
03:16So the name was taken on the name of the company which is GP.
03:20And since it's Indonesia, so it's a combination of the place and the name of the company.
03:26So it's Jipen.
03:27So who is Jipen Rikermi?
03:54Well, Jipen Rikermi is a very simple guy, a cool guy and relaxed.
04:06But in terms of challenges, I can also, I am an inexperienced person.
04:16I have been through rough times, I have been through challenges and trials, but still I survived.
04:25I grew as an independent person.
04:29My mother died at the age of 12 and my father was working abroad.
04:34And I'm the one who, uh, feed myself because, um, I'm independent and that's why, uh, I remember when I was young, I, uh, do the dishwashing of my grandfather, I mean, uh, my, yeah, my grandfather to wash the dishes in Putumaya.
04:58And then, uh, selling, uh, uh, and then, uh, selling, uh, newspapers, uh, in Cologne.
05:04And then I, uh, studied mechanical engineering in University of the Visayas.
05:09So, um, by then I started working on a, uh, machine shop business, which is my father owned for 16 years.
05:22So I had, uh, vast of experience, uh, working on, uh, industrial, uh, businesses, uh, construction businesses, all machineries, maintenance, repairs, and, uh, fabrication.
05:38Um, and after 16 years, I switched my career in, uh, BPO.
05:43So I studied, um, Cisco and cybersecurity in University of, uh, Visayas, I mean, Cebu.
05:51And then I worked in a call center 14 years.
05:56So by then I, um, very exposed in, um, application and also for, um,
06:08uh, advanced technology businesses because I work in U.S. and it's a remote.
06:16So we use online tools using internet.
06:20That's why, um, that's what we also have today for businesses like the internet of things and, uh, data management.
06:31So that's what I am right now.
06:36So I still in a, um, uh, co-center, but I just resigned just, um, uh, March 14.
06:47Just very recent.
06:48Yes.
06:48So, yeah, we also did our research, sir, now, and you have an extensive experience in business,
06:58IT, as well as in the BPO industry.
07:02So what made you decide to shift into politics?
07:07Well, um, previously, um, I ran as a vice mayor and, um, unfortunately I was not able to, uh,
07:19grab the, uh, position, uh, but I hope right now I could, uh,
07:26uh, uh, grab this, uh, opportunity as a mayor in Mandawi city to at least to, uh, show my capabilities
07:38and, um, how can I, uh, manage the city?
07:43Okay.
07:43Sir, as DJ said, you, um, vast and rich experience.
07:48That's right.
07:49How do you plan to use this experience?
07:52IT, for example, like digitalization, modernization, machineries.
07:56How do you plan to use this experience if chosen as mayor of Mandawi city?
08:03Well, um, the, uh, digitalization is already in the government.
08:09Uh, the, uh, data management is already in the government.
08:12In fact, I have heard some government agencies who are using, uh, some cloud, uh, data management.
08:23So 14 years of experience, well, I can, uh, you know, I could contribute my capabilities
08:33and, uh, in managing the data for, uh, the, uh, government, uh, data
08:41and also, uh, we could also, um, enhance the, um, how we use the internet, uh, by using, um,
08:57free, uh, Wi-Fi in every government agencies for past processing.
09:03Uh, and also, uh, by that we could also fast the process of acquiring a business permits,
09:10uh, because of the advance of the digitalization.
09:15So we could reduce the time and effort by, uh, acquiring or by adopting the advanced technology
09:25that we have right now.
09:26Uh, that's an interesting take, no, on digitalization.
09:30Yes.
09:32I've also read, no, because you, he was interviewed by Sunstar.
09:36Earlier.
09:37In 2021.
09:38Okay.
09:39When you run for vice mayor, I guess.
09:41Yes, yes.
09:42And then you mentioned in the interview that after living in Mandawi, six years, no?
09:48So that's in 2021.
09:49So it's been around nine years in Mandawi.
09:52Oh, I think 16 years.
09:55Ah, 16 years.
09:5616 years.
09:56Ah, so 19 years.
09:58That was when I was vice mayor.
09:59Ah, okay.
10:00So 19 years already in Mandawi.
10:03So what made you think that, um, you are the best person to address the needs of the city
10:12if given the chance to be elected as mayor?
10:15Um, yes, I, I, if I've given a chance to, uh, stand as a mayor in Mandawi city,
10:23of course, with, uh, my capabilities, I think, uh, I'm an IT specialist.
10:30So in regards with advanced technology, uh, because, um, there were some, uh, data
10:39which is, uh, can be jeopardized because of, uh, cyber crime.
10:45So we can assess with that kind of issue.
10:49And also we could, um, we could also discuss to those, uh, people
10:58who are, um, using also, um, I mean, uh, internet for, uh, data management.
11:09So, um, uh, I think, uh, mostly people right now know what is the advanced digitalization.
11:19So I will not, uh, further discuss with that.
11:22How can, uh, the digital, uh, digitalization can, uh, improve the business
11:30of, uh, of our, uh, businesses today.
11:35So also, uh, with, um, engineering, uh, we could also, um, discuss with investors, uh, regarding
11:47with, um, with, uh, industrial infrastructures, uh, with, with, um, construction and other businesses
11:57alike, uh, we could, um, discuss, uh, that kind of proposal.
12:04So I am also, uh, exposed in business for 16 years.
12:10So I am, it's not new to me to, um, discuss that kind of, um, um, proposal.
12:19And also with, um, the, uh, the security, we could also,
12:27um, do that because I am a third year, uh, B is criminology.
12:32So we could also, um, we could also discuss how to reduce the, uh, the crime
12:40in Mondawai city since it's very rampant, uh, uh, in regards with, uh, cyber crime, um, cyber
12:50bullying and, um, also some, um, swandling, um, pickpacketing, rape.
13:00So that's the issue.
13:01That's the crime issue that we have facing right now in Mondawai city.
13:05So, uh, since, uh, uh, since I have a, a, uh, addiction attainment for, uh, base criminology.
13:15So I could also, um, discuss that with, and I could also relate that with, uh, with, uh, the police process.
13:26Uh, as a resident of Mondawai for almost 20 years, what do you think for you is, is the,
13:38if, if given the chance that you get elected, it's the first thing you want to solve?
13:43What, what, what is that one big urgent problem in Mondawai that, you know, if given the chance,
13:49um, the first thing we address is the economic, of course, uh, we need to, uh, invite more investors, uh,
14:19um, because we have still a lot of vacant, uh, land.
14:24So, um, if it is handled properly, um, you know, we could, uh, reduce the crime.
14:33And I think the investors will, will, you know, will, um, give opportunity to Mondawai city.
14:43And also we will also put up a, um, um, like an IT park in, near in Mactan.
14:51So it's a vacant lot.
14:54So we could, uh, also propose that to investors to, uh, bring more employment in, uh, Mondawai city.
15:05So that's my, also my main goal to, um, provide, uh, jobs to provide employments, uh,
15:15all of the residents of Mondawai city, since the unemployment is very high.
15:21And the economy is not that doing well.
15:26So we can, um, we can also, uh, address that kind of issue.
15:34So, yeah, that's the first thing that we could, um, help address in Mondawai city.
15:42And also, uh, we also need to give attention to, to, uh, crime since, uh, it could, uh, decline the economy.
15:54So, um, it should be, um, proper coordination with, uh, the, the, uh, police.
16:04And, um, also with, um, the, to address the traffic and also with, uh, the flooding issue.
16:16So since I have the engineering background, uh, we could certainly address that.
16:22I have been through that kind of, um, issue for working for 16 years.
16:30And, uh, I think we could relate that how to solve that problem.
16:38So how do you, I'll zero in on the investment now.
16:43How do you intend to accomplish, you know, that side of bringing more investors to Mondawai city?
16:51Well, I'm very open to, uh, business proposal, um, in Mondawai city.
17:01And, um, as long as it could, um, bring, uh, employment and bring a goodwill to all Mondawai, Mondawai Hanon.
17:14Um, and yeah, um, we could, uh, discuss that, um, businesses, either it's industrial or a commercial, um, infrastructure.
17:33Uh, we could certainly, uh, bring them in, in Mondawai city since we have lots of, uh,
17:38vacant land in Mondawai city.
17:42Okay.
17:43Sir, where Mondawai is now, what is your vision?
17:49Where do you want to go?
17:49What's your plan?
17:51If elected as mayor, how do you, what is your plan of, you know, moving Mondawai to, to what?
17:56Like from this, from, from what is Mondawai now to, you know, to the future?
18:02How, what, for you, what, what does Mondawai look like?
18:06Well, yes, um, Mondawai is next to Cebu.
18:11So, um, I, we, uh, we admit that Mondawai is still not, uh, fully developed compared to, uh, Cebu.
18:22So this is the right opportunity that, uh, we can, um, um, bring, uh, the economic development
18:32in the city.
18:34So we need to totally, uh, uh, you know, um, brainstorm how we could, uh, improve the economic
18:46in, um, Mondawai city since that's the next in Cebu.
18:53You've mentioned also when you were interviewed as a vice mayor candidate back in 2021 that you were
19:02inspired, you know, by your two friends who encouraged you to run in public office, run for
19:10public office, and they are, uh, Senator and, uh, Trillianes and, uh, former Naga mayor, Christine Chong.
19:19So how did these conversations transpire that really convinced you to run for by vice mayor back then?
19:29Um, yes, it, uh, first with, um, uh, former mayor, Vanessa.
19:35Um, we know each other and, um, I, I learned how he handled the, the Naga city.
19:49And as you see, it's a big improvement.
19:53So I, you know, I inspire her of what she did in Naga city.
20:01And, um, um, also with Trillianes, um, he was a brave, uh, soldier.
20:09And, um, we were friends because I am a Magdalo, um, member.
20:17And we meet when, uh, he, uh, went here in Cebu city.
20:23So we discussed a lot regarding about their principles, but I'm not really particular
20:28to that one since, uh, I'm not a, a really an active soldier.
20:34I'm just a reservist from my engineering, um, education.
20:41So, uh, it inspired me because, um, he has a principle and, uh, he stand for his right.
20:51But, uh, also he think it wisely before he make any moves.
20:57So that's what I inspire for him.
21:00Okay.
21:01So in 2021, you run as vice mayor as independent.
21:05Yes.
21:06So you're running again as independent.
21:08Yes.
21:10What are the challenges?
21:11Because in 2021 you were independent.
21:13So what were your challenges campaigning, going house to house?
21:17On the previous.
21:19Oh, uh, it's very, uh, because there were threats, uh, that was my first time.
21:26So, uh, there were threats.
21:28So I, you know, I get security threats.
21:33Yeah.
21:34Security.
21:34Uh, yeah, that's a threats for, you know, and, um, yeah, I just, uh, keep myself, uh,
21:42uh, uh, at poise and, uh, you know, uh, just, just, uh, you know, just, uh, try to negotiate
21:53with those who threaten me and, um, yeah, I, I do the campaign, but it's not really that, uh,
22:02uh, uh, campaign issues since, uh, uh, I lack of budget.
22:10The resources, yeah.
22:11The resources.
22:12It takes a lot of resources when you run, so I can understand, uh, running independent,
22:17but a lot really a courage to, you know, to push yourself without the support of,
22:24without the machinery of a political party.
22:27But what, that's a, that's a, that's a downside.
22:31But what is the opportunity you think that you, that you have over the other candidates
22:37who have political parties?
22:39Can you have an advantage over them as an independent candidate?
22:45Well, uh, of course, first is the, um, we need to address first the, what's the situation
22:53in Mandawi city.
22:54So I think we saw in Mandawi city that there are lots of crimes and that were the, um,
23:02economic declining.
23:05So that's why, uh, I took up this opportunity to run as a mayor in Mandawi city, uh, because I saw
23:15how we could improve the Mandawi city.
23:17Um, and, um, and also how we could, uh, manage the people.
23:24So I have known a lot of people and I have experienced a lot of managing of people.
23:34So it's not a problem to me to, um, to manage those people.
23:40And what are their really concern is all about the employment.
23:45We could provide them employment.
23:48Um, we could provide them recreation.
23:51Because, uh, people there are having fear to go out.
23:56So that's why, uh, there's no recreation and there's no economy.
24:03So that's, that's it.
24:05We need to reduce the crime, uh, so that people will go out and people could spend.
24:13And also within Vistor, uh, they, they can, uh, have their courage to invest in Mandawi city.
24:25Um, allow me to ask this question now, because I also think that some of our viewers would also be
24:34interested, you know, because when you run for vice mayor back then, you gathered just about around
24:442,000 votes out of the 171,000 votes casted.
24:50So I'm curious, what do you think are your chances this year that you are running for mayor?
24:58Um, yes, uh, people choose me.
25:01People choose me.
25:02It's very, um, uh, obvious that, um, um, uh, they, um, uh, they, um, they, um, they encouraged me to run as a mayor.
25:14So, um, so I took the opportunity, you know, because I saw what really the issue, uh, all about.
25:27So I took this opportunity because this is the time to, you know, to, um, to give your, um, capabilities
25:42how you can improve the Mandawi city.
25:46So now I think we're moving to the, I think there's still time for that.
25:50That, you know, that's the last question.
25:54So in your CV, you know, and in the previous information that you also shared, you have a vast
26:01experience in business, in IT, and also in the BPO world.
26:06And now you intend to serve the city on a different capacity as a mayor if elected.
26:14But if not in politics or in business or in IT, what would you be doing right now?
26:22Uh, yeah, I, I already think about that.
26:27So we have a business.
26:29I still have a machine shop business.
26:31I have a farm.
26:33So that, that's what I will be doing, uh, if I don't have the opportunity to, to be a mayor in Mlawi city.
26:44Named it on farm.
26:47Yes.
26:48Okay.
26:48So we proceed to that.
26:49Maybe I could also go to the U.S.
26:51Oh, so, uh, because you have a, your, your, for your BPO work, your employer is in the U.S.
26:59My father is a U.S. citizen.
27:01Wow.
27:03So you have dual citizenship?
27:05Oh, no, I'm still a Filipino.
27:07Oh.
27:08I'm still a Filipino.
27:09But I can apply for a visa.
27:11That's one thing sure, because he's running for mayor.
27:14He's running for mayor.
27:18Okay.
27:18Vanessa.
27:20So now we're going to transition to the next segment of today's episode.
27:26And that is for our candidate for mayor to answer the five core questions.
27:33Okay, we're back to the second half of our interview.
27:45Here at the interview series for Beyond the Ballot.
27:51We will be asking five core questions to our guest.
27:56The guest has given two minutes and a half to answer the questions.
27:59To start, we'd like to ask you, sir, if elected as mayor, how will you address heavy traffic,
28:08especially on major roads like AS Fortuna and the ongoing road widening and drainage projects,
28:14which is causing bottlenecks?
28:16How will you address the problem on traffic congestion and infrastructure challenges?
28:22Yes.
28:23First, I will discuss first the traffic congestion in the city.
28:29I observed that our traffic lights, it's very outdated.
28:36So I think we need to replace the most, I mean, the better advanced traffic lights.
28:45And also, we also provide more traffic enforcement visibility to handle the traffic issue.
28:54And also, within the premise of the barangay, there were also some issues with the traffic.
29:06Maybe we could put up a widening of the road because that will cause the traffic.
29:15So, the most important thing is the city because that's the passage with the businesses.
29:25So, yeah, more visibility with traffic enforcers and updated traffic lights.
29:33And also, with the flooding and drainage infrastructure challenges.
29:44So, yeah, infrastructure challenges.
29:49We also need to address the crime rate in Mondawai City so that there are lots of investors
29:57encouraged to invest their business.
30:00So, the trust issue of the investors comes from the people from Mondawai City.
30:10So, we need to address that kind of issue to develop the economy.
30:18So, that's it to encourage investors to bring their investment in Mondawai City.
30:28And that is very possible for us to solve that problem.
30:32So, moving on to the next concern.
30:36Poor drainage system and clogged waterways worsen flash floods even with light rains.
30:43The city's low-lying areas are highly flood-prone.
30:48Delayed drainage projects also contribute to the issue.
30:51So, if given the chance to be mayor of Mondawai, how will you solve the second issue, which is flooding and drainage?
31:01Yes.
31:02First, we need to address what caused the flooding.
31:06And I already saw some development, how the flooding was addressed.
31:15Like, they construct a strong concrete canal to support the flooding.
31:25But it needs more improvement because if there is a lot of water in the canal,
31:32the passageway in the Botwano River, it's very narrow.
31:38So, it will bottleneck the water.
31:43So, that might cause all the water will be overflow on that narrow river.
31:49But that is, I think that can be solved by widening also the exit of the passage near on the sea.
32:02So, there are lots of passage there.
32:05So, we could widen that so that the flow of water will still continue.
32:13So, that's why we need to widen the opening of the exit.
32:20So, that's the solutions because I searched that in the internet, how they solve that issue.
32:27So, I think that's a possible solution for addressing the flood.
32:35And also, with the drainage system, yes, it's true.
32:38Even if it's very light rain, it will flood along with East Fortuna and some other streets.
32:45We could put up a power water pump.
32:50And that's, I also searched that on the internet.
32:54Most, I mean, some countries uses that power water pump to subdue the flood.
33:03So, we need to put up that and then it will be exit to the drainage.
33:12But since the Boutuan river is very narrow, so maybe we could make another exit with the water.
33:23Okay. Now, for the third question, sir.
33:26Uncollected garbage, illegal dumping, and lack of proper waste segregation remain major concerns.
33:33It also affects coastal pollution, affecting tourism, and marine biodiversity.
33:38If elected as mayor, how will you address this problem?
33:43With marine issue, of course, we need to have a maintenance with our rivers and creeks.
33:53So, we have to maintain for some residents.
34:02We'll throw their garbage on the creek, on the rivers.
34:05So, we need to have a strict compliance not to throw those garbage because that will affect our biodiversity.
34:14And we will implement that to the neighborhood barangay.
34:19And also, with the solid waste, the barangay will take care of it.
34:32We will implement that for a regular waste, solid waste disposal, solid waste disposal to prevent pollutions.
34:46So, it can be addressed.
34:49So, it's like only the implementation for regular maintenance.
34:55Okay.
34:56So, for our fourth concern, this is about informal settlements and rising housing costs which make affordable housing scars.
35:09Relocation sites for urban poor communities also lack basic utilities and job opportunities.
35:16Unregulated high-rise developments put pressure on resources and infrastructure.
35:23Yes.
35:23So, how would you solve the concern on housing and urban development?
35:29Yeah.
35:29The reason why there are some legal settlements is because they cannot afford to buy an affordable house because of unemployment.
35:39So, that's why, as I have stated earlier, that we need to invite more investors to bring more environment in Mondavi City.
35:51And with urban housing, the HSU, they will take care of it.
35:57They will be the one to handle that.
35:59We have lots of lands for housing.
36:02So, they will take care of it.
36:04And we will address that still because there are a lot of illegal settlers there.
36:14So, yeah, that's an issue also.
36:19Okay.
36:19We proceed to the last question, sir.
36:22Cases of theft, illegal drugs, gang-related violence are concerns in Sambaragais and Mandawe.
36:29Cyber crime and online scams are on the rise.
36:31So, how will you intend to solve this problem if elected as mayor?
36:37Well, as cyber security, we can certainly address that since we have the cyber crime department.
36:50Yeah, the cyber crime is very rampant in Mondavi City.
36:54So, it affects like the abuse, it will affect the mental development of the victim.
37:10So, that's why we have to address that cyber crime issue.
37:16And we will assure that the crime will reduce.
37:24We will coordinate with the police force.
37:26So, we will be having police visibility to those rampant area for crimes.
37:36And also, the tunnels.
37:41Well, we will also, maybe we could give them more allowance to seriously watch guard the barangay.
37:54So, sir, if you are to speak before Monday we have an ounce right now, how will you offer yourself to be mayor in Mandawe City?
38:07Well, if I will be choosing as a mayor in Mandawe City, I will assure you that your voices will be heard.
38:17I could bring more employment since we will enhance the trust to the people in Mandawe City so that there are investors that will, more investors that will come in in Mandawe City.
38:41And we still have a lot of plans to develop, so that's what we are addressing right now.
38:50Thank you, Mr. Jipen Rikwemi, for joining us today.
38:54Okay, to all our viewers, be sure to stay tuned for our next episode, where we'll be interviewing another candidate for mayor in Mandawe City.
39:03I'm DJ Moises.
39:05And I'm Mildred Galarpe.
39:07Thank you and good afternoon.