‘Bejo’ to run for Leyte governor

TACLOBAN CITY – Despite an agreement forged in Malacañang by the Romualdezes and the Petillas in Leyte that they will not oppose each other in the coming polls and would support common candidates, Mayor Alfredo "Bejo" Romualdez formally announced on Friday that he is running for governor against incumbent Gov. Carlo Jericho "Icot" Petilla.

The outgoing mayor made the announcement, after former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos reportedly permitted him to push through with his plan to contest Petilla in the gubernatorial post.

"I must admit that there are still many things for me to fix and many programs for me to complete before I get out of public service," Romualdez told The STAR.

The 73-year-old mayor of Tacloban also made it clear that his age should not be an issue because he is still physically fit and can still do more for Leyte.

Romualdez’s official declaration of candidacy has ended speculation that it was Mrs. Marcos who will run for governor, and in a way also ended the previous agreement of the politically strong families in the province.

Even after the Feb. 11 deal sealed in Malacañang, the Petillas and Romualdezes have been exchanging allegations that neither was sincere in the said agreement.

Alfred Romualdez, husband of actress Cristina "Kring-Kring" Gonzales who once served for one term as congressman in the first district of Leyte, is also running for mayor here to replace the post that will be vacated by his father.

His wife Cristina would also join politics by seeking a seat in the city council.

Businessman Dan Stephen Palami also announced his mayoral bid here. He will run against Alfred.

Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, son of former Leyte governor Benjamin "Kokoy" Romualdez, is also seeking the congressional seat in Leyte’s first district.

Meanwhile, incumbent Rep. Remedios Petilla had announced that she will temporarily rest from her political career. In radio interviews last week, however, Petilla said she is mulling plans to run for mayor in Palo, Leyte.