Opposition asks Baybay mayor to run for Congress

BAYBAY CITY -- Mayor Jose Emery Roble of Hilongos, Leyte is being courted to run for Leyte’s fifth district representative.

If Roble will run for Congress, he will contest the post with incumbent Representative Jose Carlos Cari.

But Roble said he has yet to decide if he will accept the offer.

“I only made a commitment to support Malot Galenzoga on her bid to run for mayor in Baybay, but I had never made any commitment yet to any political leaders like Governor Petilla and Philip Romualdez,” he said.

He added that his political group is not aligned to any of the two leaders as he belongs to Bagumbayan, the political group of former senator Richard Gordon.

“You will know if what my decision is, when the right time comes,” Roble said.

The filing for certificates of candidacy is on October 1 to October 5.

He also said that the Caris won in the previous elections because no one dared to go against them in the elections.

“If there was a person who is willing or strong enough to go against them in the elections, maybe they won’t win,” he said.

Roble also clarified that even if he decides to run for a congressional seat in the fifth district, this will not mean that it would taint his personal relationship with Governor Petilla.

Before Roble entered the political arena, he was helping his siblings in running their business, Roble Shipping Lines.

Roble Shipping Lines has roll-on-roll-off vessels, cargo ships, barges and tugboats operating in the provinces of Leyte and Cebu. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)