Romualdez leads colleagues in filing COC

MANILA, Philippines — At the House of Representatives, Speaker Martin Romualdez led his colleagues in the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) as they seek re-election in their respective legislative districts, as well as being nominated for party-list groups that they represent.

Now on his second term, the first district congressman of Leyte filed his COC before lawyer Maria Goretti Canas, acting provincial election supervisor of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the province of Leyte.

During the filing of his COC at Tacloban City’s Comelec office, Romualdez expressed his gratitude to the people of Leyte for their continued trust and support throughout his political career.

“Our people’s continued support serves as my inspiration to pursue what we have started. It has been an honor to serve our constituents in Leyte and the Filipino people as a whole,” the Speaker said.

Romualdez served as the representative of the same district for three straight terms from 2007 to 2016 and another two terms from 2019 to the present.

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza plans to return to the House representing the Buhay party-list.

Atienza, a pro-life advocate, vowed to fight all anti-life bills, including legalizing divorce and abortion.

Meanwhile, the Kabayan party-list was the first to file their Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance and Nomination (CON-CAN) before Comelec yesterday.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said their group is seeking another term in Congress so they could continue pushing for their advocacies that could improve the lives of the people, particularly overseas Filipino workers.

Salo called on former Kabayan representative Harry Roque to attend the congressional investigation into the Philippine offshore gaming operations or POGOs and submit the documents as he had previously promised.

Following Kabayan to file a CON-CAN was the newcomer Ang Bumbero ng Pilipinas.

ABP’s first nominee former Energy undersecretary Astravel Pimentel-Naik said if their group gets a seat in Congress, they would push for the establishment of a provident fund for firefighters and other volunteers.

Former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares