Romualdez cousins Alfred and Martin file COCs in Tacloban for 2019 polls

Former congressman Martin Romualdez files his certificate of candidacy to reclaim his old seat in the House of Representatives. With him was his wife, Leyte Rep. Yedda Romualdez of Leyte’s 1st district. PHOTO by Joey A. Gabieta/Inquirer Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY — Cousins Alfred and Martin Romualdez are gearing up for a political comeback in the 2019 elections.

Both filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) on Tuesday afternoon to reclaim the post they vacated after they reached the three-term limit.

Alfred is running for Tacloban City mayor, the post now being held by his wife, Cristina, who said in an earlier interview that she would not run for any elective post and plans just to take care of their children.

Meanwhile, Martin wants to reclaim his seat as Leyte’s 1st district representative, the post currently held by his wife, Rep. Yedda Romualdez.

Unlike Cristina who would be bowing out of politics, Yedda is running as the first nominee of the party-list group, Tingog Sinirangan.

Yedda accompanied Martin when he filed his COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Tacloban City at 2:45 p.m.

If elected into office, Martin who is running under Lakas-CMD, vowed to continue the programs and projects initiated by his wife.

Asked if he is being groomed as the next Speaker, he replied: “Walang ganun (None of that sort).”

Martin said he would like to promote first the interest of his district, which is composed of Leyte’s seven towns and the capital city of Tacloban.

About an hour later, Alfred arrived at the Comelec-Tacloban office under the Nacionalista Party.

Aside from the Romualdezes, Leyte Rep.Lucy Torres-Gomez of 4th district formalized her reelection bid under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

She was accompanied by her father, Manuel, and brother, Mat, who is running for mayor in Kananga town, Leyte.

Torres-Gomez said her husband, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, was not able to accompany her because he was busy with work.

Gomez had earlier filed his COC for mayor under PDP-Laban.

Torres-Gomez said she planned to continue her programs and projects that she had implemented since she first assumed the post. /ee