TACLOBAN CITY – Candidates across Eastern Visayas officially launched their local campaigns on Friday, March 28, starting with Holy Masses before engaging in house-to-house visits, motorcades, and proclamation rallies.
In Tacloban City, reelectionist Mayor Alfred Romualdez and his slate began their campaign with a motorcade from Daniel Z. Romualdez (DZR) Airport, passing through the downtown area and heading toward the northern part of the city.
Ferdinand Martin “Marty” Romualdez Jr., son of House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, went on a house-to-house campaign, personally introducing himself to voters. He is vying for a seat in the city council, while his brother, Andrew Julian Romualdez, is the first nominee of the Tingog party-list. This marks the first electoral run for both siblings.
Meanwhile, Speaker Romualdez held a meeting with mayors from Leyte’s 1st District, including Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, mother of Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla.
The younger Petilla, a former political rival of the Romualdezes, is seeking a second term as governor unopposed.
In Southern Leyte, Governor Damian Mercado and his brother, Roger Mercado, who is running for congressman, also attended a Mass before launching their campaign.
In Samar, reelectionist Governor Sharee Ann Tan joined the proclamation rally of Calbayog City Mayor Raymund Uy and his slate.
Borongan City, Eastern Samar, also saw a major campaign kickoff as reelectionist Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and his team held their proclamation rally.
Some other key candidates in the region opted for a low-key start to their campaigns, either planning rallies over the weekend or maintaining a minimal campaign presence due to a lack of strong opponents.
The first day of the campaign period was also marked by “Operation Baklas,” an initiative led by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to remove campaign materials placed outside designated areas.
Comelec-8 legal officer Atty. Ma. Krishna Athena Elardo warned candidates that violations could lead to disqualification.
“Of course, due process will be observed,” she assured.
(JOEY A. GABIETA, ROEL T.AMAZONA, LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
