Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. inside their Davao City home.
INQUIRER file photo / ERNIE U. SARMIENTO
DAVAO CITY—Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. has filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Tagum City on Thursday.
Floirendo, whose family was among the campaign donors of President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 elections, was seeking a second term under Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).
He arrived at the Comelec provincial office in Barangay Mankilam, Tagum around 2 p.m. with supporters and provincial bets under the HNP, including Gov. Antonio Rafael del Rosario who is also seeking a reelection.
“I signed up today because it’s (the) first day (of filing), so, why do we have to wait for the last day? I want transparency, not lies,” he said.
Floirendo said he would work to continue doing more projects for his district to help the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
He called his slate the “same as before,” except for some “balikbayans” or former officials seeking reelection.
But in an interview after the filing of his COC, Floirendo hinted he might still change his mind and seek a provincial post instead. Floirendo hinted he might still opt for the vice gubernatorial seat, which would pit him against the former HNP member, former Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, who just left Sara’s political party to run under former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
Floirendo said that based on their formula, when the governor is from the first district, the vice governor should come from Floirendo’s district, or vice versa.
Del Rosario comes from the first district while the incumbent vice governor, Alan Dujali, hails from Panabo City of the second district.
Dujali is said to be gunning for Congress under PDP-Laban against Floirendo, while Alvarez is seeking reelection.
The former House speaker’s aide and protege, Edwin Jubahib—an engineer and a political newcomer, is running against Del Rosario.
“But since the one running for vice governor (Uy) is from the first district, I might as well run for the post instead. It’s a possibility,” Floirendo said, adding he might choose his son Gabby to replace him. /jpv