Two former congressmen are joining forces together to fight against a resigned Cabinet member of the Duterte administration and a provincial board member in what might be a hotly contested gubernatorial and vice gubernatorial race during the May 2019 elections.
Rep. Yap who is now House deputy speaker said that after serving the third congressional district for nine years, he would wish to offer his services as chief executive of the province under the PDP-Laban ticket.
He will be running against resigned Cabinet Sec. Leoncio “Jun” Evasco who made a surprise move of an early registering at the Comelec offices on the first day of registration. Earlier, it was floated that Evasco will file his candidacy only in November under the substitution policy where somebody else will file in his behalf last week.
Yap who banks on a high-performance rating as a congressman has snubbed a smear campaign of his being a non-Boholano.
For his part, Evasco upon filing of his Certificate if Candidacy last Monday immediately lambasted the present provincial administration of Gov. Edgar Chatto citing two issues on the alleged waste of expenditures and the unabated drugs in the province.
The former town mayor of Maribojoc who found his fortune to become a trusted aide of then Davao Mayor Rodrgio Duterte said he wants to do a “pay back” to the province, thus offering himself to become the next Bohol governor.
Yap will be running together with the last termer Rep. Rene Relampagos who has already served as Bohol governor for two terms in the 1990’s.
Evasco’s running mate is Provincial Board Member Tomas Abapo, Jr., who is presently the Dean of Law of Holy Name University (HNU).
Aside from Yap and Evasco three other Boholanos filed their COCs for provincial governor, namely Concepcion Flores, Hercules “Boy” Castillo, and Roberto Reyes, PDP-Laban. Castillo and Flores are running as independents.
Relampagos and Abapo will have a one-on-one match in the vice gubernatorial race.
CONGRESSIONAL RACE
Last termer Gov. Edgar Chatto thanked the Boholanos for the support extended to him as he filed his COC to run for congressman in the first district under Liberal Party. The son of former City Mayor Dan Lim, Ismael, is running for congressman amidst public perception of a possible substitution.
Re-electionist Rep. Aris Aumentado, under NPC, will be running for his last term in the third congressional district. Board Member Agapito Avenido (NUP) is expected to have a tough attempt to win in the dominant Aumentado district.
Meanwhile, four congressional aspirants are running in the third district. They Vice Gov. Dionisio Balite (PMP), Board Member Alexie Tutor (NP), former Carmen Mayor Che Toribio de los Reyes (PFP) and retired Judge Carlos Fernando (PDP-Laban).
BOARD MEMBERS
There are 12 candidates vying for the 3-slot board member in the first district, namely re-electionist Board Member Ricky Masamayor, Aldner Damalerio, former Board Member Billy Tongco, former City Councilor Lucille Lagunay, Leah Magno, Donald Sevilla, Dr. Joahnna Cabalit Initay, Mayor Jose Nicanor Tocmo, Ricfel Rebusa, Jose Mesiona, Isabelo Somontan and Fabio Ontong, Jr.
In the second district, seven are vying for the 3-slot board member. They are re-electionist Board Member Gloria Gementiza, Verna Boniel Maglasang, Ubay Kagawad Isidore Besas, Talibon Mayor Restituto Auxtero, Franz Garcia, Ammon Dennis Tirol, Santos Chris Abella and Gierhjim Puracan.
Twelve are vying for the four-slot board members. They are re-electionist BM Jade Bautista, re-lectionist Victor Balite,Crispina Vergara, Guilley Espejo, Dr, Elpidio Bonita, Mc Aldous Castañares, Noel Bongolto,Engr. Edwin Vallejos, Board Member Elpidio Jala, Nathaniel Binlod, former Board Member Godofreda Tirol and Dominic Olaer Villafuerte,