Son, father tandem seen in 2010 elections

published November 13, 2009 in Leyte Samar Daily Express

TACLOBAN CITY- It will be a son and father tandem in this city next year as former Mayor Alfredo “Bejo” Romualdez formally declared yesterday that he will run for city vice mayor.

The 74-year-old Romualdez said that his main agenda is to “professionalize” the Sangguniang Panlungsod and make it as the “best city council in the country.”

“The first thing that we need to do is to expand the legislative building to accommodate more people especially during public hearings. We will also replicate the best practices of other cities,” he said during a press briefing at the city mayor’s office yesterday.

The younger brother of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos pointed out that with the city “growing very fast” and being the capital of Eastern Visayas, there’s a need to implement high impact projects that will be endorsed by the city legislators.

Bejo ruled as the city’s chief executive from 1998 to 2007. He was succeeded by his son former Leyte Congressman Alfred S. Romualdez. The latter earlier announced that he will seek reelection next year.

The young Romualdez is a member of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, of which he is designated as city district chairman by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

His father, however, said in a media briefing that the Romualdez family running in the local post might join different parties to get a better chance to solicit support from the national leadership.

“We want to align with everybody because we need all their help to improve Tacloban. Some of the family members might join different parties,” he added.

Other members of the Romualdez clan holding current political positions are Leyte 1st district Congressman Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, son of former Leyte Governor Benjamin Romualdez; former actress now city Councilor Cristina Gonzalez-Romualdez, Alfred’s wife.

Bejo told the media that his old age won’t hinder his participation in the local governance considering that he will be more involved in planning activities.

“It is not only the executive that do the planning. The legislative should actively take part on it. It is not only being dictated by the Mayor but the Sanggunian as well,” he stressed.

He will also talk with incumbent Vice Mayor Arvin V. Antoni how they can work together for the improvement of the city. Antoni, a known critic of the incumbent mayor, is reportedly seeking reelection next year.

“I will respect him if he wants to be in the opposition as long as he is for the development of Tacloban,” the elder Romualdez said.
Other projects he is planning to push are computerization in the city’s legislative building, provide social housing for the poor, improve the city’s transportation system, build alternative road, and set up “New Tacloban” in the 300-hectare lot in the northern barangay.

During his 3 terms as the city mayor, Romualdez was widely credited for several projects in the city such as the astrodome and new bus terminal. (SARWELL Q. MENIANO)