Four members of Tan family are vying for the elective posts in the
two congressional districts of Samar and two top positions in the provincial
government.
Incumbent Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos, who is on
her last term, will run as representative in the 2nd district against a native
of Catbalogan City, lawyer Chris Bolastig, who is former employee of the Bureau
of Customs.
Sharee Ann used to be a district representative and was the
country’s youngest member of Congress in 2007. In 2010, her mother, Milagrosa,
switched places with her.
After nine years, the mother and daughter will again swap their
respective posts to further tighten their grip in the impoverished province.
Milagrosa, incumbent representative, will run for governor, the
post she held for nine years until 2010. Her opponent is former military
officer Emil Soza, who ran and lost in the previous election against Sharee
Ann. Soza is the husband of Santa Margarita town Mayor Gemma Soza.
The Tan matriarch faced several graft and corruption cases during
her stint in the provincial government from 2001 to 2010, but was never
convicted.
Another son, Vice Governor Stephen James Tan will try his luck in
the 1st district congressional race against incumbent Rep. Edgar Mary
Sarmiento. The first district is known as an election hot spot due to a series
of shooting incidents attributed to intense political rivalry.
The youngest family member, Michael, is eyeing to take over Stephen
James’ post against former Vice Governor Jesus Redaja.
Sharee Ann described the family’s filing of COC as an intimate
moment that did not allow media coverage.
“Without any fanfare nor grand gestures, we humbly submit
ourselves to once again serve the people of Samar. Allow us to continue the
various programs under the Spark Samar Development Agenda,” the governor said
in a statement after filing her COC.
Sharee Ann launched the Spark Samar Campaign that focuses on
tourism as an economic driver of the province addressing problem on poverty and
insurgency. The program was awarded this year as best tourism-oriented local
government by the Department of Tourism and tour operators.
Stephen James thanked the people who supported him in his journey
in the political arena and in his first bid for a seat in congress.
“This is a hard decision for my part, I am doing this for the
welfare of our constituents in the first district,” he said. (RTA/PNA)
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