Veloso to challenge Gomez in 2025 polls
CEBU CITY – The next local elections are still more than a year away but the political pot in Leyte is already boiling.
SUPPORTERS of former Leyte third district Rep. Ching Veloso gather at the Isabel Sports Complex in Isabel, Leyte after he transferred his voter’s registration on Monday, March 11. (Contributed photo)
Former Leyte third district Rep. Vincent "Ching" Veloso on Monday, March 11, announced that he will challenge Leyte fourth district Rep. Richard Gomez in next year’s elections.
Veloso did the first step of his political plans next year after he officially transferred his voter’s registration fromthe third district to Isabel under the fourth district of Leyte.
A former justice of the Court of Appeals and former chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Veloso met supporters on Monday and assured them that he will champion the cause of equitable resource distribution.
Five of the seven mayors in the fourth district, as well as officials from the third district, were present during the gathering.
Among those present were Merida Mayor Rolando Villacencio, Matag-ob Mayor Bernardino Tacoy, Palompon Mayor Ramon Oñate, Albuera Mayor Sixto dela Victoria, and Isabel Mayor Edgardo Cordeño.
Incumbent mayors from the third district, where Veloso used to sit as congressman, also attended.
After he filed his transfer of voter’s registration, a caravan was held and an open forum attended by Veloso’s supporters was held at the Isabel Sports Complex.
During the forum, Veloso said that it was the mayors and some business groups who requested him to run.
He said he initially declined but with the insistence of his supporters, he finally accepted the challenge.
“Sa ilang pag aghat nako nga modagan, automatic ko niingon nga ‘No way!’ Pero nakita nako nga daghan ang kalisud nga giantos sa mga kabus...nga karon nisamot kakabus tungod sa abuso kaayo sa usa ka estranghero (When they tried to convince me to run, I automatically said ‘No Way!’ But I saw that a lot of problems are being endured by the poor and they became poorer because of the abuses of a stranger),” Veloso said.
Veloso said he will form a legal team that will serve the district without fees and assist those who are “victims” of oppression and abuses in the fourth district.