AMIDST cries of “Roquero! Roquero!”, former Valderrama mayor Ray Roquero formally launched his drive to be the next governor of Antique province in a fiesta-like celebration of his birthday party on Monday night, June 24, in the town of his birth.
In a surprise development, Antique lone district’s Cong. Antonio Agapito “AA” Legarda broke his silence when he declared his full support on Roquero, saying he is endorsing the former Political Affairs Undersecretary as the next governor of Antique.
It was bedlam when AA Legarda, younger brother of Sen. Loren Legarda who is seeking his second straight term in office, openly declared for the first time in public his highly-anticipated choice for Roquero as his bet for governor in the province.
Roquero, who led in a non-commissioned Pulso ng Pilipino survey among possible aspirants in the 2025 midterm elections conducted by The Center in March this year, is expected to battle it out with incumbent Vice Gov. Edgar Denosta, who landed in second place.
Former Antique three-term governor Salvacion Zaldivar Perez, an influential political leader in the province, was also on hand to declare his support for Roquero, saying, “Ray Roquero is the only candidate who has a platform of governance for Antique’s economic growth.”
In his speech, Roquero unveiled his “Antikenyo Ako 2027” strategic blueprint for the development of Antique, anchored on Change and Reforms, and inspired by the Values and Virtues of the people “to create hope and pride for all.”
He said the masterplan for development is designed to make Antique a first-class province by 2027, giving priority to poverty alleviation, development of natural and human resources, stamping out graft and corruption, and creating jobs for the people.
Roquero said Antique is a broken province, politically, that there is need to forge a unity government under “One Antique,” bring the private sector as partners in development, put integrity back in public office, and instill a leadership that dares to dream big for the people.
“We will work for the welfare of Antiqueños and the economic growth of the province, offering unrivalled opportunities and liberation from a troubled past,” said Roquero, citing the vital role of the proposed first Antique Special Economic Zone and Freeport of Legarda as the much-needed vehicle for progress.
When approved in Congress, the Special Economic Zone will be developed and operated as a self-sustaining industrial, commercial, financial, aqua-agri investment, banking and tourism-recreational center and freeport with suitable recreational areas.
On popular issues, Roquero said he would use the share of Antique from the Semirara coal mining operations to subsidize the electricity bills of the people, provide more funds for educational assistance and medical care, institutionalize support to barangay units, and practice merits system in hiring and promotions of personnel.
Barangay officials and well-known political leaders graced Roquero’s party celebration, led by their respective mayors that included Pandan’s Mayor Tommy Estoperez, Laua-an’s Mayor Aser Baladjay, San Remigio’s Mayor Mar Mission, Anini-y’s Mayor Maxfil Pollicar, Sibalom’s Mayor Gian Carlo Occena, San Jose de Buenavista’s Acting Mayor Justine Encarnacion, and host Mayor Joycelyn Posadas.
Also in the gathering were Senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Member Mayee Plameras, who is being eyed as Roquero’s running mate as vice-governor, SP Victor Condez, SP Ronnie Molina, SP Panoy Sanchez, and comebacking SP Vince Piccio, former mayor of the town of Belison./PN
