Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco denied reports published in a national daily that he backed out from his gubernatorial plans.

Evasco during an interview with the Chronicle on Saturday said his options are open whether to beat the October 17 deadline of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) or wait for the period to substitute which is until Nov. 29 this year.

“Maayo nang bibo,” was his reply when asked why the news of his alleged backing out in the gubernatorial race came out in the Philippine Daily Inquirer last Friday.

Evasco will automatically be considered resigned as Cabinet member of the Duterte administration once he files his COC with the Comelec. 

He confirmed that if he runs, Provincial Board Member Tomas “Tommy” Abapo, Jr., dean of the Holy Name University College of Law, will be his running mate.

Re-electionist Rep. Aris Aumentado and Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite will be part of his slate as congressional bets in the second and third districts, respectively, he added. Former Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim was floated as possible congressional candidate in the first district.

However, Evasco expressed confidence that other purported aspiring congressional candidates, Board Member Alexie Tutor and former Carmen Maor Cheche Toribio, will likewise support him.

Evasco meanwhile confirmed the inclusion of the following in his group’s provincial board slate: former Tagbilaran City Councilor Lucille Lagunay, Leah Magno and Donald Sevilla for the first district;  Ex-Officio Board Member Gloria Gementiza, Ubay Board Member Icy Besas and Mimi Boniel-Maglasang for the second district; and Board Member Victor Balite, former Board Member Eladio Jala, and Atty Castanares for the third district. 

Board member Abapo and the rest of Evasco’s group are slated to file their COCs on Sunday at the provincial Comelec office.

Evasco was not certain whether or not he will already file his COC together with their slate.