CATBALOGAN CITY – An army official who will be retiring from military service on Wednesday is eyeing to run for governor in Samar province next year.

After 25 years of military service, Lt. Colonel Emilio Zosa returned to Sta. Margarita town, where he grew up and disenchanted with what he has observed of Samar political scene.

“I have been very disappointed with the way the province was being run by some politicians. They always say they want to be the voice of the people, but it ended up differently,” Zosa said.

Zosa is a graduate of class 1991 of the Officers Candidate School (OCS) Philippine Army. He served as the Military Intelligence Commander of the Philippines to Middle East, where he had to travel abroad and to different areas in the country.

Zosa, the provincial chairman of Liberal Party in Samar province, believes that he all need that “determination and a whole lot more” for the 2016 gubernatorial race in the province.

A neophyte in politics, he paints his inexperience as an endowment. He remains untainted by the corruption scandals compared to any other politicians in Samar.

He is calling for “transformation” in the entire province. According to him, solutions must be based on policies and ideas. “The people in Samar want a new message and a new messenger,” he added.

Those who once commanded the soldiers, humbly visited Samar villages, carrying his own luggage, wear jeans and rubber shoes.

The military, he said, taught him not just to give orders but to lead by example.

“Soldiers are the sons of poor people. I have worked with them for 25 years and I always consider things for their welfare. That’s why I have a bond with the people,” the official said.

“I came from a poor family and have lived in poor villages without water or electricity, and I was fine. I don’t think other politicians know how to do that.”

Zosa, pledges to crack down existence of Private Armed Groups in Samar, fight against corruption, improve the education, medical and health services to the people, livelihood and uphold justice to all the people in the province.

“Reality tells me that there is desperation in Samar,” Sousa said. “We’ve had economic growth, but no development.”

Zosa will be challenging the Tan family, who are in control of key positions in the province.

In 2011, Zosa was reported as one of the two military intelligence officers who disclosed to senators the names of officials who ordered to wiretap the phones of several officials, including former President Gloria Arroyo and poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, during the 2004 elections. (PNA)
JAZMIN BONIFACIO