Rep. Tan files candidacy for Quezon governor

Quezon Representative Angelina “Helen” Tan (left) and Governor Danilo Suarez

LUCENA CITY — Quezon Representative Angelina “Helen” Tan (4th District) filed on Sunday her certificate of candidacy for provincial governor, running against incumbent Governor Danilo Suarez who is expected to bid for reelection in the May 2022 polls.

Tan arrived at the Commission on Election – Quezon office at Lucena City hall building accompanied by her running mate, Lucena Councilor Anacleto Alcala III, at around 10 a.m. The event was streamed live on Tan’s Facebook page.

Tan, 50, now on her last term is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

A medical doctor by profession, Tan is the chair of the House Committee on Health.

Prior to filing for candidacy, Tan has been soliciting support from local government officials for her bid for governor. Tan has also been doing the rounds of the province giving free flu and pneumonia vaccines.

Meanwhile, Suarez will file his candidacy under Lakas-CMD on October 6, according to his lawyer, Atty. Vicente Joyas.

Anacleto’s candidacy as Tan’s vice governor took the city residents here by surprise.

Anacleto has long been reported as the vice mayoralty tandem of his nephew, Mark Alcala, son of incumbent Mayor Roderick Alcala, who will seek to replace his father.

Anacleto and Roderick’s fathers are siblings, sons of the late Quezon Governor Anacleto Alcala.

With Anacleto leaving the city race, local media are abuzz on the possibility of Roderick being back in the electoral race as his son’s running mate.

The Inquirer tried to contact Roderick and Mark for confirmation but to no avail.

But Arnel Avila, city public information officer, hinted at the possibility of the son-father ticket on his Facebook post on Saturday.

“May nakita akong senaryo para selyuhan at matiyak ang higit na pagpapatuloy ng ‘Bagong Lucena’. Abangan!” Avila said.

(I see a scenario wherein ‘Bagong Lucena’ may be sealed and assured. Wait for it!)

“Bagong Lucena” (new Lucena) is Roderick’s slogan for his development projects and program for the city, the provincial capital.