TACLOBAN CITY - Same clans will control the key elective positions in Leyte and Biliran provinces in the next three years, as incumbent officials and their family members succeeded in holding their sway in local governance, by defeating less popular opponents. In Leyte, Carlos Jericho Petilla will return as governor, the post he held for three full terms nine years ago. He will replace his younger brother, Leopoldo Dominico, who has been the province's chief executive since 2013. The family has been reigning in Leyte province since 1992. The clan's matriarch Remedios, the former Leyte governor and solon, will return as mayor of Palo town, replacing Anne, the wife of Carlos Jericho. The Petillas are members of one country's oldest political dynasty. The first member was Jose Ma. Veloso who became Leyte first district representative for three terms (1922-1925; 1935-1938; 1941-1946) and senator for two terms (1916-1919 and 1925-1935) during the Commonwealth period. Jose Ma. is
LEADING. Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez. The official is the top choice in Leyte's 4th district congressional race based on surveys.(PNA file photo) TACLOBAN CITY - Actor-turned-mayor Richard Gomez remained the top choice for congressional post in Leyte's 4th district, according to local surveys. Gomez, who has been the mayor of Ormoc since 2016, is picked by 79.5 percent of voters in the northwestern part of Leyte province based on April's survey. The figure is higher than the 74.8 percent preference recorded last February. His rival, former Commission on Elections commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal is the choice of 17.1 percent of voters last month, higher than the 15.9 percent earned two months earlier. The sample size of surveys conducted by various firms was 5,000 with an error percentage of 3 percent plus or minus. "Despite several issues raised against me, voters did not believe. With peace and order in the core of our governance, in 2016, we're able to flip O
CONGRESSIONAL SEAT. Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez in this February 27 photo. The actor-turned-politician said Tuesday (March 1, 2022) he will not be part of the "silent committee" once elected as a member of the House of Representatives.(Photo courtesy of Ormoc City government) TACLOBAN CITY - Actor-turned-politician Richard Gomez said he will not be part of the "silent committee" once elected as a member of the House of Representatives. Gomez, the current mayor of Ormoc City, said he's very familiar with the legislative process in Congress having served for nine years as chief of staff of his wife, Lucy Torres-Gomez, also a celebrity. The couple will attempt to swap posts in this year's elections. "I will not be a bystander at the House of Representatives. I will actively take part in committee and plenary discussions and push for the best interest of my district. I will make sure that Leyte's 4th district gets its share," Gomez said in a sta
The electoral body’s guidelines on adherence to COVID-19 protocols can be open to corruption and abuse by political parties and candidates, election lawyers said Wednesday.