ILOILO – A “David versus Goliath” battle for congressman of the 4th District looms in the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections
Retired Police Major Charlie Sustento Jr. of Passi City has formally declared his candidacy. He is challenging reelectionist Cong. Ferjenel Biron of Barotac Nuevo town.
Sustento is in ongoing negotiations with an undisclosed political party for his candidacy. Biron, on the other hand, belongs to the Nacionalista Party.
Drawing parallels to the biblical story of David and Goliath, Sustento expressed his confidence in overcoming the odds.
“I believe that with God, nothing is impossible,” he told Panay News.
Biron, a physician and wealthy businessman, served as 4th District congressman twice previously – from 2004 to 2013 and from 2016 to 2019 before securing his third and current term that started in 2022.
The district was represented in Congress by Biron’s brother Hernan from 2013 to 2016, and by his son Braeden John from 2019 to 2022.
Sustento, who comes from humble beginnings, attributes his decision to run to “widespread disenchantment” among the residents of the district over what he termed as “cheap politics”.
The people of the district, he added, desire for fresh leadership and visible pre-election engagement from their elected officials.
The 4th District is lagging behind in terms of health services, infrastructure, and eco-tourism development compared to other districts, according to Sustento.
He highlighted the public’s yearning for a leader who remains active throughout their tenure, not just around election times, and who can initiate more development projects.
Despite being a first-time contender against Biron, Sustento is confident about his candidacy, positioning himself as a genuine public servant with over 20 years of experience as a police officer.
He has also endorsed candidates for mayor in several 4th District towns, including former mayor Mamerto Pelopero for Dueñas and Sangguniang Bayan member Atty. Precious Grace Panizales for San Enrique.
Incumbent mayors Stephen Palmares of Passi City and Peter Paul Gonzales of Banate are also supported by Sustento.
The list of Sustento’s candidates in other towns is still being finalized, but he assured that there would be contenders against Biron’s mayoralty candidates./PN
