Biong hurt by Rep. Coquilla’s move to support another bet
TACLOBAN CITY- It was a case of political treachery.
So said Giporlos Mayor Mateo Biong Jr., referring to what his once political ally, Eastern Samar Representative Teodulo “Doloy” Coquilla, who allegedly reneged on his promise to make the town mayor as his candidate for governor in next year’s elections.
But while Biong admitted to have been hurt by his being ditched, his decision to challenge Coquilla was not meant to despise the first-termer solon.
“I am running to give our people in Eastern Samar an option. I have been a mayor of Giporlos for nine years and my people could attest on what I have done in our town,” Biong said during an informal media conference Tuesday night.
“I am running not out of personal whim but to serve (the people of Eastern Samar) and I think I have what it takes to serve them,” he added.
Biong claimed that there was already an agreement that he would be the gubernatorial candidate of Coquilla for the 2010 elections.
But to his surprise, another candidate was endorsed by the congressman for the gubernatorial post, the Giporlos mayor said.
“Of course, I was disappointed. For more than a year, we were together. I was endorsing him as my candidate for Congress and me as his (gubernatorial) candidate,” Biong said.
And on the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy, members of the congressional staff of Coquilla were around when Efren Docena filed his CoC running for governor.
Docena belongs to the Liberal Party while Coquilla is a stalwart of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
Aside from Biong, Coquilla also has to contend with six others on his reelection bid, including Governor Ben Evardone who opted to run for congressman, also under the ruling party.
Biong clarified that his decision to seek a congressional seat instead of his original plan to run for governor was not an act of revenge but more on “practical reason.”
“I am the only candidate coming from the south while the rest were from the north. And it’s been a long, long time since a southerner is gunning for a congressional post,” he said.
“I think I have a better chance,” Biong said.
The third-termer town mayor has no other candidates except with incumbent Vice Governor Leander Geli, who is his candidate for governor.
He, however, said that he enjoys the support of the mayors of Lawaan, Can-avid and Taft.
Mayor Biong also debunked allegations that Gov. Evardone was behind his decision to run for Congress.
“How can that be when in fact, we are running for the same position? We are not also in good terms. That is ridiculous,” Biong added. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
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