Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Petilla. Image from the website of the League of Provinces of the Philippines
TACLOBAN CITY — Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla and his elder brother, former Energy Sec. Carlos Jericho Petilla, have expressed support to presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The Petillas are considered to be the most dominant political family in Leyte which has a voting population of 1.3 million, the country’s 14th vote-rich province.
“We have decided to throw our support to BBM who is from Leyte and if he is elected as president, it will be good for Leyte,” the governor said.
Petilla is now on his third and last term as governor. His elder brother, Carlos Jericho, is making a political comeback as governor, a post he held for almost nine years until he was named to the Cabinet as Energy secretary by former president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino in 2012.
Then President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulated Jericho Petilla after his oathtaking as Energy Secretary. EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER
While Marcos will surely win in Leyte, Petilla said they will ensure that he will get the majority votes against his rivals in this year’s elections.
Marcos, whose mother Imelda is from Leyte, won in the vice presidential race in the province in 2016.
At present, Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone and Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan have endorsed the presidential bid of Vice President Leni Robredo.
Governors Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte; Rogelio Espina of Biliran; and Michael Reynolds Tan of Samar have also expressed their support to Marcos’ presidential bid.