Rep. Quimbo no longer running as Marikina mayor

Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo FILE PHOTO

Marikina 2nd District Rep. Romero “Miro” Quimbo is no longer gunning for the mayoral post in the city.

The third-termer congressman announced this in a statement on Wednesday.

“Nais kong ipaalam na nakapagdesisyon na po ako ngayong umaga na hindi na ako magpapatuloy sa hangaring maging Punong Lunsod ng Marikina,” he said.

(I want to inform everyone that I have decided this morning that I will not continue my candidacy for the mayoral post of Marikina.)

He said he would be focusing on the reorganization of the opposition political party, Liberal Party (LP).

“Napakahirap na desisyon ito ngunit pinipili kong isantabi ang aking mga personal na pangarap sa ngayon upang tumugon sa mas mabigat na pangangailangan – ang pagsasaayos ng aming partido – ang Liberal Party – at ang pagpapalakas ng oposisyon sa ating bayan,” he explained.

(This is a difficult decision but I will put aside my personal dreams for now to answer a more pressing need – the organization of our party, the Liberal Party – and strengthening the opposition of the country.)

Quimbo then underscored the vital role of an active and constructive opposition to provide checks and balances for the programs of the government.

“Kapag may isang tunay na oposisyon, mas matitiyak na magiging kapakipakinabang sa taumbayan – lalo na sa mahihirap – ang mga programa, serbisyo, at batas na isinusulong ng gobyerno,” he said.

(When there is a true opposition, the programs, services, and laws that the government will be pushing will definitely benefit the public, especially the poor.)

He also thanked his supporters: “Nandito lang ako, hindi ko kayo iiwan. Hindi po rito natatapos ang lahat. Simula pa lang ito ng mas malalaking bagay, hindi lamang para sa Marikina ngunit para sa buong Pilipinas. Bayan bago sarili.”

(I am just here, I won’t leave you. This is not the end of everything. This is the start of greater things, not only in Marikina but for the entire Philippines. Country first before self.) /je