Officials say no money involved as 2 aspirants back off from So. Cot congressional race
GOVERNANCE/POLITICS • 20:30 PM Fri Aug 30, 2019
1
By:
Roel Osano
Councilor Leo Cordova (left) of Polomolok town and former Councilor Richard Ross Barroso of Tampakan town wait while a Comelec officer receives their notices of withdrawal from congressional race. (Contributed photo from DXOM photo)
KORONADAL CITY – One citing party decisions and the other saying he could not challenge a good leader, two congressional aspirants for South Cotabato’s first district on Friday withdrew from the race.
The Commission on Elections will administer special polls on October 23 for the congressional seats for South Cotabato’s first district and Gen. Santos City long district.
With the withdrawal of certificates of candidacy of Polomolok incumbent town Councilor Atty. Leo Cordova and Tampakan town former town Councilor Richard Ross Barrosso, former Polomolok Mayor Isdiro Lumayag is now running unopposed.
The withdrawal came two days after the two aspirants had filed their candidacy at the Comelec office here.
South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr accompanied them at the Comelec office. Cordova, who filed his COC as Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) bet, said he withdrew from the race upon the request of his party mates.
“I have decided to file my notice of withdrawal after our meeting went well, I have seen from what they have presented that my backing out can strengthen the unity of our party,” Cordova said.
Gov. Tamayo is the national president of PFP.
Barroso, an independent candidate, said that his confidence in the leadership of the now non-opposed former Polomolok Mayor Isdiro Lumayag is the reason why he backed out from the race.
“I have seen the opportunity and the dedication of our incoming congressman and his previous record as a politician and also to the commitment of fair leadership and public service of Governor Tamayo,” Barroso told reporters.
Barroso stressed that now is the time for local leaders to unite for the progress of the first legislative district of South Cotabato.
Tamayo emphasized that no money was involved in the withdrawal of their COCs.
“In the first district, we used our principles and then we talk that is why there is unification,” Tamayo said.
Election for a House representative in the first district with Gen. Santos City was postponed in May after a law separating Gen. Santos from the first district was approved. South Cotabato first district now is only composed of the towns of Tupi, Tampakan and Polomolok.
Four aspirants vie for Gen. Santos City congressional lone district.