As he seeks for a second term
PALO, Leyte- Call it Machiavellian.
Thus, in essence, what Leyte Rep. Henry Ong describes the mayors in the district who expressed his support on his reelection bid but apparently now gravitated towards his opponent, Karen Javier.
When he filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) on October 11, Ong confidently said that he has the support of the 14 mayors in the second district of Leyte.
But this apparently changed when Javier, wife of the president of the mayors’ league in the province, Leonardo Javier, filed her CoC, these mayors were also around to express their support on her congressional bid.
“Life goes on. I don’t know what are their plans. I will put my trust to the people they will decide eventually for the leaders who will serve them,” Ong, who is seeking for a second term, said.
He admitted that he was shocked on this turn-around of the mayors in the district though he was anticipating such acts of the mayors.
Among the most prominent on the congressional bid of Javier is Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla whose family helped Ong get elected in 2016, ending the dominance of the family of former congressman Sergio Apostol.
“It’s their call, ethically, morally. I don’t know what are their reasons; my trust is with the people who was behind me, since day one” Ong said, stressing that it’s the people of the district who will help him carry his congressional bid.
Rep. Ong said that despite of the political event in the district, he would not be distracted on his work for the benefit of the people.
“It’s heartwarming that I have been receiving messages of support from people whom I don’t really know personally expressing their support on me, especially after they learned on what the mayors did to me,” Ong, who chairs the committee on banks and financial intermediaries at the Lower House, said.
He also expressed his gratitude that his former nemeses, Sergio Apostol, appears to supporting on his reelection bid.
“I am thankful with the report. He is a good statesman. I welcome the day that we will talk and be friends with him” Ong said. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
