STO. TOMAS -- Armed with endorsements from national and provincial ruling parties Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and Kapanalig at Kambilan ning Memalen Pampanga (Kambilan), incumbent Mayor Johnny Sambo of this town officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for re-election before the local Commission on Elections Friday morning.
Sambo, together with the whole Team Gusto Ko Progreso slate, were accompanied by Fourth District Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc and Provincial Board Member Rolando “Pol” Balingit in the filing of their COCs Friday, October 12.
The Team Gusto Ko Progreso slate includes vice-mayorable former Association of Barangay Captains president and Barangay Sto. Rosario Pau Chairman Matias “Bong” Pineda, councilors Yayadin Quiambao, Teresita Juarez, Erwin Tirasol, Anjeli Tamtamco, comebacking councilors Marvin Pineda and Nilo Muñoz, Barangay Moras Dela Paz Councilman Dennis Sitchon, and Barangay San Matias Councilman Edwin Mendoza.
According to Bondoc, Sambo was the first candidate to file COC under the Team Pampanga Unity, a product of the solon and gubernatorial candidate Vice Governor Dennis Pineda’s alliance and collaboration.
“Mayor John is the first actual symbol of our Pampanga Unity ticket. He is a common candidate of PDP-Laban, my political party, and Kambilan which is governor-to-be Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda’s party. With his filing of COC under the two parties, we can now officially say that our alliance with Governor Delta is guaranteed and sealed,” Bondoc explained.
Bondoc added that there are still four mayors and their respective slate who will file under the Pampanga Unity ticket, among them are Masantol Mayor Danilo Guintu, Minalin Mayor Edgar Flores, comebacking Candaba mayor Rene Maglanque, and comebacking San Luis mayor incumbent Councilor Jay Sagum.
Foes to allies
After being in a three-way match for the mayoralty seat in 2016 along with Chiong Sengson, Sambo and his current running-mate Matias have decided to join forces for this coming May 2019 local elections.
Sambo said that the alliance between him and his vice-mayorable rooted from their common goal and aspiration to provide true public service and make a peaceful community for all Thomasians.
“My runningmate Chairman Matias ‘Bong’ Pineda and I share the same vision of serving our fellow Thomasians so we decided to be together and make that vision work for the betterment of our people,” he said.
Matias, for his part, said that the progress that he had seen in Sto. Tomas since Sambo assumed the local chief executive post, with the support of Bondoc, was his deciding point in joining the administration’s ticket for the coming election.
He cited the programs launched by Bondoc and Sambo such as the forthcoming opening of North Luzon Expressway tollway in his own barangay Sto. Rosario Pau, the construction of Sto. Tomas Community Hospital, among others.
“I have seen the development of our town under his leadership. And I know that that development is not for his personal gain but for the people of Sto. Tomas so I do not see any reason not to join him,” he said.