BANGUED, Abra – La Paz Mayor Joseph Bernos of the Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats on Sunday, October 6, filed his Certificate of Candidacy for congressman of the lone district of this province.
Also filing their COCs on Sunday were Eustaquio Bersamin, brother of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, for governor and niece Anne Bersamin for vice governor.
Bernos was lawmaker for two terms from 2016 to 2019 and 2019 to 2022 before running for mayor in 2022.
Unfinished commitments for the people of this province were his reason for seeking a fresh term in the House of Representatives.
LA PAZ Mayor Joseph Bernos (left) files his candidacy for congressman of the lone district of Abra, along with Eustaquio Bersamin for governor and niece Anne Bersamin for vice governor. (Freddie G. Lazaro)
Eustaquio, a former Abra governor, cited Bernos and his wife, Rep. Menchie Bernos, for their efforts for the people of Abra. “It is my honor to be with their team.”
“With our tandem,” Eustaquio said, “Abra will become the most improved province in the Cordillera and the whole of Northern Luzon.”
Rep. Bernos is running for representative of the party-list group Solid North (Solidarity of Northern Luzon People) which filed its candidacy in the party-list elections on Thursday, Oct. 3.
A member of the Ortega political family in La Union and Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. is the party-list’s second and third nominees.
In Ilocos Sur, reelectionist Ilocos Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan submitted her COC on Sunday.
MEEHAN (left). (Freddie G. Lazaro)
Meehan, a House deputy speaker, is seeking her final and third term as representative of the second district.
In La Union, Vice Gov. Mario Ortega filed his COC for governor on Monday, October 7.
Ortega is challenging his granddaughter, reelectionist Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David.
Also filing candidacies were Ortega’s running mate, Aringay Mayor Eric Sibuma; and reelectionists first district Rep. Paolo Ortega and second district Rep. Dante Garcia, who is up against former Gov. Francisco Roberto “Pacoy” Ortega VI who filed his COC on October 1.