MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, (PNA) –- The two top officials in this province filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday, sealing their unification in the 2016 elections.
Around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Southern Leyte Governor Roger Mercado and Vice Governor Shefferd Tan formalized their re-election bid under the ruling Liberal Party (LP).
This is the first time that both officials joined the same party, ending years of political mudslinging.
Mercado said they have to be united to deliver solid votes for LP presidential bet Mar Roxas, vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo and the entire senatorial slate.
In 2013, Mercado ran under the National Unity Party (NUP) while Tan ran under LP, being the provincial chairman.
Recently, the vice governor relinquished his post to Mercado. The LP and NUP forged an alliance for the 2016 polls.
Since Monday, four candidates have already filed in their COCs at the provincial election office.
During the first day, Rep. Damian Mercado, the governor’s brother and provincial board member aspirant Felixberto Lariba filed their COCs. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/QUIRICO M. GORPIDO, JR.
