ILOILO City – Retired Philippine National Police general Gerardo Flores is running for congressman of the 1st District as an independent candidate.
He filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Tuesday.
“The people of the 1st District must be given choices,” said Flores who is clashing against reelectionist Cong. Richard Garin and two other Garins – Guimbal mayor Oscar Garin and former Health secretary Janette Garin.
The 1st District is made up of the municipalities of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Igbaras, Tubungan, Miagao, and San Joaquin.
Congressman Garin filed his COC on Oct. 11. Mayor Garon and former Health secretary Garin filed theirs yesterday, Oct. 17.
Flores had served as mayor of Miagao and member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
He ran for congressman in the 2016 elections but lost to Garin.
According to Flores, voters could choose to end abuse of power in the 1st District.
For example, he claimed, “Indi ka maka-maestra sa premier distrito kon indi mag-agi sa ila,” referring to the Garins, the acknowledged political kingpins of the district.
Flores also claimed supporters of the Garins got preferential treatment in the government’s cash-for-work program.
The Garins could not be reached for comment as of this writing.
“Ako ‘ya nagapamukaw lang ako sa taga-1st District. Amo ina ang trabaho ko, mamukaw nga magbugtaw sila. Para sa ila kaayuhan nga madalagan ako,” said Flores.
Flores also said he was supporting the challenger of Vice Governor Christine Garin, Mayor Niel “Beng” Tupas of Barotac Viejo./PN
