This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Former Eastern Samar vice governor Christopher Sheen Gonzales says despite an agreement, incumbent officials in various towns in the province were still being challenged
EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – Former Eastern Samar vice governor Christopher Sheen Gonzales filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for lone district representative of Eastern Samar as an independent candidate, challenging reelectionist Maria Fe Abunda, during the last day for the submission of papers to the elections commission, Tuesday, October 8.
In a press conference after his filing, Gonzales emphasized that despite an agreement reached on October 1 among provincial leaders, incumbent officials in various towns were still being challenged.
This, he argued, violated the “equity of the incumbent” rule and led to a manifesto urging him to run for Congress. Gonzales expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him, calling it a “golden opportunity.”
“Aanhi ako yana, nabakdaw, upod ko ini nga mga mayors, yana, karuyag ko magsumat haiyo.
Dire ak matalikod, matukdaw ako, maato ako…,” he said, cutting off as the audience broke into applause.
(I am here now, standing with these mayors, and I want to tell you all—I will not turn back, I will stand firm, and I will fight…)
Gonzales, a former vice governor, and two-term mayor of Guiuan, ran for Congress in 2019 but lost.
At the time, he faced a preventive suspension from the Office of the Ombudsman due to alleged grave misconduct and irregularities linked to the multi-million peso worth Yolanda recovery program. He slammed the suspension move, deeming it as “politically motivated.”
Gonzales, who has close ties to his father-in-law, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, currently serves as the national coordinator for the 4Ps Partylist.
Libanan has withdrawn from the congressional race to focus on his role with 4Ps.
Meanwhile, Governor Ben Evardone also announced his withdrawal from seeking a third term, passing the baton to his son, Ralph “RV” Vincent Evardone.
In a statement on his official Facebook page, Evardone clarified: “To set the record straight and put all speculations to rest, I have decided to yield my political ambitions to help the administration in its programs and projects, especially in ensuring the victory of the administration’s senatorial candidates.”
RV Evardone, currently a Sulat SB member and regional president of the Councilors League in Eastern Visayas, filed his COC in hopes of stepping into his father’s gubernatorial shoes.
Gonzales and RV Evardone are expected to team up with Vice Governor Maricar Sison-Goteesan to aim for the top electoral positions in Eastern Samar. – Rappler.com
Efren Cyril Bocar is a student journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar, enrolled in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. A managing editor of Amaranth, Cyril is an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow of Rappler for 2024.
