Quezon governor launches local political party

Quezon Governor Angelina Tan and former Governor Danilo Suarez

LUCENA CITY – Quezon Governor Angelina Tan on Saturday, July 6, launched the local political party STAND UP Quezon to solidify her allies for the 2025 polls.

In a statement, Tan said the STAND UP Quezon, or “Solidarity for Transformation, Advancement, and Nationalism towards a Dynamic, United, and Progressive Quezon Province,” will promote efforts to combat poverty in the province.

“We are here because we are ready to stand up for the welfare of our provincemates. Our call is STAND UP Quezon for unity. STAND UP Quezon for success. STAND UP Quezon against poverty,” Tan, the party president, said in Filipino in her speech during the launch of the party held in Gumaca town.

The new party said 226 out of 430 incumbent elected local officials, from town councilors to provincial board members, took an oath and were listed as members of the new party.

Tan urged Quezonians to join her in the development of the province, saying she would marshal “the full might of our political capital to secure a life of prosperity and HEALING for everyone.”

HEALING refers to the “health, education, agriculture, livelihood, infrastructure, environment, tourism and good governance” agenda, which she started.

Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), who was the guest of honor at the event, declared their alliance with the new local party in the province.

Tan has long been an NPC member since her three-term stint as the 4th district representative in Congress. She is expected to win her re-election bid unopposed.

The launch of the party was also attended by Quezon’s 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, 3rd District Rep. Reynan Arrogancia, and Tan’s son, 4th District Rep. Mike Tan.

It also served as the launch of the new party-list group 4K, or the Kababaihan KabalikaTAN Para sa Kapakanan, at Kaunlaran ng Bayan.

The formation of the new party and party-list group is seen as a move against the Suarez political clan, now headed by Deputy Speaker David Suarez.

Tan’s son, Kim, who is also a medical doctor like her mother, has been making his presence felt in the second district as an indication that he is set to challenge David’s re-election bid.

The 4K party-list is also seen as a challenge to ALONA (Alliance of Organizations, Networks, and Associations) party-list, now represented in Congress by Rep. Anna-Villaraza Suarez, David’s wife.

Tan defeated former Governor Danilo Suarez, David’s father, in the 2022 elections. She won in all 39 towns and 2 cities in Quezon, striking a severe political blow to her opponent.

Tan’s running-mate, Anaclero Alcala III, also won the vice gubernatorial race. Alcala is a member of another influential political clan in the province which includes former congressman and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Lucena Mayor Mark Alcala, Vice Mayor Roderick Alcala, and provincial Board Member Vinnerte Alcala-Naca.

Before the 2022 elections, the Suarez clan controlled the provincial government for 12 consecutive years—nine under David’s governorship and three under Danilo.

Tan’s ally, politician Rogancia, also defeated Aleta, Danilo’s wife, in the congressional race in their bailiwick, the Bondoc Peninsula district.