Ex-energy secretary files COC for Leyte gov

Carlos Jericho Petilla. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

TACLOBAN CITY––Former Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla filed Friday his certificate of candidacy (COC) for governor of Leyte, a post he held for almost nine years.

Petilla is running as an independent candidate, although he was expected to run under PDP-Laban.

Petilla said he was still waiting for his certificate of nomination and acceptance from PDP-Laban.

Businessman and former Javier town mayor Leonardo Javier is the running mate of the former Cabinet secretary under the administration of the late president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.

Joining the two candidates was their complete slate for board members and outgoing Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla, the younger brother of the gubernatorial aspirant.

Carlos Jericho served as governor of Leyte from 2004 until he was named Cabinet secretary in 2012.

The candidate said he would continue the programs and projects implemented by his younger brother, especially in the development of agriculture in the province.

He said that addressing COVID-19 would also be among his priorities.

Also filing his COC was Petilla’s nephew, reelectionist Leyte Rep. Carl Nicholas Cari, for the fifth congressional district.

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