RE-ELECTIONIST Third District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales, Jr. on Thursday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) before the office of the Commission on Elections under the banners of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and the Kapanalig at Kambilan Ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan).

Wearing clothes from the time he ran for the congressional seat in 2016, Gonzales said that he is all out in supporting the candidacy of Vice Governor Dennis Pineda who is set to run for governor. He said that he is thankful for the support of the Pinedas adding that unity in the governance of the province will surely benefit their respective constituents.

“He (Dennis Pineda) is the future governor, he is my governor. It will do our constituents a lot of good to run under the banner of unity,” Gonzales said. He said that a second term as congressional representatives will give him more time in advancing more legislation to help the people.

He added that his brand of public service will still continue in terms of healthcare and other social service programs with the support of the Pinedas.

The re-electionist congressman, known for landmark legislations like Republic Act 9505, otherwise known as Dong’s Law, which provided for the continued and comprehensive rehabilitation of the town of Bacolor from the devastation it suffered as a result of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, and RA 9832 for the conversion of the Don Honorio Ventura School of Arts and Trade into the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University, said that there is now a new chapter in Pampanga’s politics, adding that he will continuously work alongside allies.

Gonzales held the third district congressional seat from 2004 to 2010. He again ran in 2016. He also previously served as board member of the district from 2001 to 2004.

Gonzales said that he is staging his reelection under the support of the PDP-Laban and Kambilan. PDP-Laban is under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte. PDP-Laban has an alliance with the Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats (CMD) of former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Kambilan is under the chairmanship of incumbent Governor Lilia Pineda.