Rookie Leyte solons seal re-election bids

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 12 -- Two members of the House of Representatives, who successfully toppled Leyte’s political dynasties in the past elections, were among the first to file their certificates of candidacy (COC) on Thursday.

Leyte 2nd District Rep. Henry Ong said just like other candidates, he is optimistic of his re-election bid next year, citing his accomplishments during his first term.

“I have to do more and I want people in the 2nd District of Leyte to be happy through our infrastructure, health, education, and scholarship programs,” said Ong, who was accompanied by 14 mayors from the legislative district.

“People will decide and I feel that people love me and they want me to serve them,” said the chair of the House committee on banks and financial intermediaries.

Among his major accomplishments is the establishment of the Eastern Visayas State University as a separate campus in Burauen, Leyte with a PHP250-million budget.

In the 2016 elections, Ong defeated veteran politician, then representative Sergio Apostol, whose clan ruled central Leyte for more than three decades. Apostol is reportedly joining the congressional race.

Leyte 3rd District Rep. Vicente Veloso also filed his COC to gun for a second term. His re-election bid will be challenged by former representative Andres Salvacion.

In the last polls, Veloso, a former Court of Appeals justice, defeated then Leyte town mayor Maria Victoria David, daughter of Salvacion, who has reached his third and last term.

Veloso, chair of the House panel on constitutional amendments, said he is ready to face his opponent with his accomplishments and campaign platforms.

The congressman said he is one of the co-authors of the free tuition law and made some effort to insert budget for several universities, housing projects, infrastructure, and agriculture development programs.

“We worked on converting some of our provincial roads into national road for these roads to get budget from the Department of Public Works and Highways. I also made sure that the proposed budgets of our district are included in the General Appropriations Act,” Veloso told reporters.

Accompanying the legislator were local officials and supporters clad in red shirts, who assembled outside the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) provincial office early morning.

“Whoever is my opponent in 2019, it is for the people to ascertain. If people find my work satisfactory, I expect them to vote for me,” Veloso added.

Aside from Ong and Veloso, two bets for provincial board members in Leyte’s 3rd District came to Comelec office here on the first day of filing of COCs. Poll offices will accept COCs from Oct. 11 to 17, except Saturday and Sunday. (SQM/PNA)