Lawmakers eye gubernatorial post in 2013

CATARMAN, Northern Samar -- Deputy Speaker Raul Daza and Representative Emil Ong said they are interested in running for governor of Northern Samar in next year’s polls.

The two were earlier reported to be seeking re-election for their respective positions as representatives of the first and second districts here.

In a press conference, Daza said he is contemplating of returning to the post that his son, Governor Paul Daza, presently occupies.

“In a scale of 0-10, I’m maybe at 11…” he said referring to his plan of running for governor.

He admitted though that it was only his personal plan and that he still needs the approval of his party mates at the Liberal Party (LP) on the matter.

He also said that he has decided to run for governor upon knowing that his longtime political enemy, Ong, is running for the post.

“I observed that he (Ong) has been going around the first district lately that he wouldn’t do in the past… nahuna-huna ko, siguro si Emil nagpaplano kumandidato pagka-gubernador. So ako man tingali puyde man ak bumalik sa kapitolyo (I thought, Ong is planning to run for governor. So I might as well return to Capitol),” Daza said.

The local LP originally plans for the re-election of the Dazas in their respective posts, while incumbent Vice Governor Ram Uy, who just took his oath as member of the party, is fielded to run for congressman of the second district, which is now being occupied by Ong.

The LP candidate for vice governor remains unclear.

Daza said their political moves will not change if their opponents’ also stay. But he said he is seriously considering a face-off with Ong should the latter run for governor.

If the older Daza runs for governor, his son would likely run for representative of the first district, a post that the latter once occupied before becoming governor in 2010.

Meanwhile, Ong admitted wanting to run for governor. He said he is concerned with the present “sorry state” of the province.

“If I run (for governor), it is not for my sake or because my opponent is Raul or any of the Dazas. I will run because I feel I can do something for the province. I believe its condition has really deteriorated,” Ong said, citing a latest survey that lists Northern Samar as number 5 poorest province in the country.

He criticized the Daza administration for having “wrong priorities” in running the province.

“Their priorities are more on political projects, not on economic projects,” Ong said.

But like Daza, Ong’s plan is not yet final.

For the 2013 elections, Ong will carry the banner of National Unity Party, a coalition of the United Nationalist Alliance and PDP-Laban. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)