AFTER his persistent denial on plans for the forthcoming elections, 4th District Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc finally hinted that he may seek Pampanga’s gubernatorial post.

During a recent gathering with local officials in Sto. Tomas town, Bondoc said he likened his recent statements on his next political move to those of President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice-President Leni Robredo, who had similarly denied that they will seek higher offices during the 2016 elections but later on pursued and won their current posts.

“Dakal pung mangutang nung tagal kung governor. Ing sasabyan ku pu ali ku bisa. Bakit? I Presidente Duterte e ya bisa pero iya ing menyambut. Vice- President Leni Robredo e bisa pero iya ing menyambut. Kaya kukutnan daku nung tagal ku, ali ku pu bisa, magobra ku pa,” Bondoc said.

(Many are asking if I will run for governor. I tell them I don’t want to. Why? President Duterte said he did not want to run for president yet he won. Vice-President Leni Robredo did not want to but also won. So if somebody asks me if I will run, I say I don’t want to and I will work first.)

Since 2016, rumors have been circulating about Bondoc running for provincial chief executive after incumbent Governor Lilia Pineda finishes her nine-year full term in 2019. But Bondoc has persistently and categorically denied this through numerous press statements.

Recently, a photo of Bondoc with Bacolor Mayor Jose Mari “Jomar” Hizon was uploaded on Facebook. Hizon is rumored to be gunning for the vice-gubernatorial post and is said to be the possible runningmate of Bondoc in the 2019 elections.

Asked about the photo, Bondoc admitted his recent meeting with Hizon but did not provide further information.

“Opu (mikit kami pu). Barkada ke pu i Mayor Jomar Hizon (Yes, we met. Mayor Jomar Hizon is my friend),” he said.

Political observers said that should Bondoc pursue his plan to seek Pampanga’s gubernatorial post, he may face incumbent Vice-Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda who is also reportedly gunning for the same post to replace her mother, Governor Pineda.