Ex-poll exec seeks Leyte congressional seat

TACLOBAN, Philippines — Former Commission on Elections commissioner Gregorio “Goyo” Larrazabal yesterday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the congressional seat in the 4th district of Leyte.

Larrazabal will be running against Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez, who seeks to replace the position that will be vacated by his wife, Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez.

Lucy will be running for mayor of Ormoc against former mayor Eric Codilla.

“I had crossed the Rubicon from an election lawyer to election commissioner, to election reform advocate, and now I am a candidate myself,” Larrazabal said.

The Larrazabals and the Codillas, major political clans in Ormoc and in the 4th district of Leyte, joined forces to grab the political power from the Gomezes, Torreses and the Locsins.

“We had talks with the Codillas. We believe that we can effect change to make things better,” said Larrazabal, who is running under three parties: the People’s Reform Party, Promdi and Nationalist People’s Coalition.

“This is the right time for the people of Ormoc to unite and remove Gomez, who is not a true Ormocanon,” Codilla said.

“Our families are the pure Ormocanons whose hearts are closer to the local people than Gomez. The unity of these political clans means the true voice for real change in Ormoc,” Codilla said, referring to his and the Larrazabal family.

Larrazabal is the son of former Ormoc mayor Terry Larrazabal and former Leyte governor Inday Larrazabal.

“I believe that there are many things that I can offer to make things better. You know, change is not only about me doing things for the committee. It’s all about us working together to do real things, to effect real change,” Larrazabal said after filing his COC.