CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar,(PNA) – A former military officer has formalized his bid on Thursday to run against the incumbent Samar governor, a member of the most powerful clan in the province.
Emilio Zosa, who just retired from military service last month, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the gubernatorial post in the May 2016 polls under Liberal Party.
Banking on bringing change and ending decades of Tan family‘s ruling, Soza is hoping to win in the political race with anti-poverty and anti-insurgency platforms.
“This is the biggest sacrifice for my career,” Zosa said. “But I saw a big problem in Samar that I think I can help in providing solution.”
As a member of the ruling Liberal Party, he said that he will focus on continuing the “Tuwid na Daan” campaign of President Aquino through developing the assets of Samar.
Samar province is primarily agriculture and fishing province with abundant natural resources that can be tapped for tourism promotion, according to Zosa.
In 2011, Zosa was reported to be 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 Macapagal-Arroyo and poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, during the 2004 elections
The former military official has picked Aika Uy-Delgado as running mate. She is the daughter of former Calbayog City Mayor Reynaldo Uy, who was slain in 2010.
This is the second time that Uy-Delgado will run for public office. In 2013, she ran but lost for gubernatorial position to incumbent Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos.
Joining Zosa in his party for top position in Samar province are Edgardo Sarmiento, brother of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, who will run as district representative in the 1st district of the province.
Also under Liberal Party is Zumarraga Mayor Myrna Tan, who will run as representative for the 2nd district.
Tan said that as a true blooded Samarnon, she needed to stand and fight for the right and welfare of her fellow residents of Samar, opposing irregularities in governance and curbing political dynasty in Samar that resulted in poverty.
Before the filing, members of the ruling party in Samar province were caught by surprise when mayors of four vote-rich towns – Marabut, Basey, Paranas and Catbalogan City bolted out from the party days prior to COC filing.
Only two mayors in the 2nd district of Samar remained under Liberal Party – Hinabangan and Zummaraga. (PNA)
RMA/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR
