TAGBILARAN CITY – Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for Bohol governor on Tuesday, ending speculations on whether or not he is going to run in next year’s mid-term polls.
Evasco, a former mayor of Maribojoc town, was accompanied by close associates and family to the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) provincial office here.
The filing of COC overturned earlier news that came out in the national dailies where Evasco denied reports of him running for Bohol governor.
In a news conference with Bohol media, Evasco said the filing ended a long period of contemplation on his part on whether or not to run for governor of the province.
He said it is time to answer the call of Boholanos for a change of leadership as he called on voters to choose new leaders and shy away from electing recycled ones who are merely jumping from one position to another.
After filing his COC, Evasco took a swipe at the local ruling coalition, particularly at potential major rival Deputy House Speaker Arthur Yap.
Evasco said he is “tinuod nga Bol-anaon (true blue Boholano),” unlike Yap.
The local coalition of politicians known as Padayon Bol-anon (Onward Boholanos) is led by Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, who is no longer eligible to run for governor. The coalition is fielding Yap as the gubernatorial standard bearer.
Evasco, is who running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition, tapped Provincial Board Member Tomas Abapo Jr. as his running mate.
Yap is expected to file his COC together with running mate 1st District Rep. Rene Relampagos and the rest of Padayon Bol-anon candidates on Wednesday afternoon. Chatto will also file his candidacy for congressman in the 1st District on Wednesday.
A third candidate for governor also surfaced on Tuesday when Concepcion Flores of Tubigon town filed her COC. She is running as an independent candidate.
Dan Ismael Corral Lim also filed his COC for 1st District representative at the Comelec provincial office.
The scenario in Bohol’s 3rd District, meanwhile, is tight with Vice Governor Dionisio Balite, Carmen Municipal Mayor Conchita de los Reyes, Provincial Board Member Alexie Besas-Tutor, and Judge Carlos Fernando vying for a congressional seat.
De los Reyes and Tutor have already signified their intention to run, while Balite and Fernando have yet to file their COCs. (Dave Albarado/PNA)
