N. Samar vice guv eyes congressional seat

CATARMAN, Northern Samar - Northern Samar’s incumbent Vice Governor Ramp Nielsen Uy said he is eyeing the second congressional seat under the banner of the Liberal Party (LP) in the upcoming 2013 elections.

Uy made this declaration in a press conference last June 25 attended by Senior Deputy Speaker Raul Daza.

The first-termer vice governor said he has the support from the youths of the second district comprising about 60 percent of the entire voting population of the said congressional district.

Months ago, Uy officially took his oath of party affiliation with Trade Industry Secretary Mar Roxas in Manila joining the LP, together with Rosario town Mayor Basilio Miranda; San Roque vice Mayor Jocelyn Corso; second district Board Member Dexter Galit; and Vice Mayor Tantan Uy of Catarman, among other officials of Northern Samar.

Uy’s congressional bid has the full backing of party leaders and supporters including his loyalists.

According to some local political analysts here, Uy is the best choice to defeat whoever of the influential Ong family in Laoang town to run for Congress.

Uy’s candidacy as vice governor in the 2010 elections is said to be boosted by his youthfulness, and this is aside from his being approachable and low-profiled public servant that translated into defeating his opponent.

Uy admitted that the Ongs are strong political opponents, saying they are wealthy and has served many years in political positions. Uy’s supporters, however, believe they (Ongs) could hardly get another victory particularly for the congressional and gubernatorial post.

When asked on what are some of his priorities should he win as congressman, Uy said education and health care are his main focus among other infrastructure programs connecting the towns in the Pacific for a more better and easy access to land transportation lifting those towns from economic stagnation. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)