TACLOBAN CITY — May 2022 elections will be a battle of political clans in Leyte's fourth district as former Commission on Elections Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for district representative in Leyte 4th District Monday (October 4).
He will run against Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez who is gunning for the same post replacing his wife Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez who will be running for mayor in Ormoc.
Larrazabal said he believes his experience in the government will help uplift not only the 4th district but will boost his proposed legislation such as the revision of the Omnibus Election Code.
"Running for the district will help me address local issues and tackle national issues," he shared.
Goyo will be running under the People's Reform Party, National People's Coalition, and Probinsiya Muna Development Initiative.
Sources say Larazzabal's lineup include former Ormoc City Mayor Edward Codilla who was defeated by Gomez in the 2016 elections and former Mayor Rowena Codilla of Kananga, Leyte who was also defeated by Mayor Matt Torres, Lucy's brother in 2019.
"We spoke with the Codillas and we believe that we can effect change to make things better," he added.
Gomez will be running under the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.
Lucy's sister, Board Member Carmen Jean Torres-Rama will be switching posts with her husband Ormoc Councilor Vince Rama.
The legislative district is comprised of the towns of Albuera, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Merida, Palompon, and Ormoc City.
Meanwhile, in Matag-ob, Leyte, hundreds of supporters trooped the streets to support the father and son tandem of Bernardino 'Bernie' Tacoy and Vincent Lynbern Tacoy under the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino Party.
Bernie is the chairman of BGT Cares Foundation who has been helping Matag-ob, Ormoc, and other towns in Leyte especially during the height of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The foundation also promotes environmental protection with the creation of Unity Garden in Bondari Peak representing the 21 villages of Matag-ob town.
They will be fighting against the three-decade-long ruling of Mayor Michael Torrevillas and his son Vice-Mayor Bushi Torrevillas.