ALBAY – Two candidates aiming for congressional seats and one mayoral aspirant filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) in Albay on Tuesday:Two candidates aiming for congressional seats and one mayoral aspirant filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) in Albay on Tuesday, marking the official start of their campaigns for the upcoming elections.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon, who is transitioning from a party-list representative to a district representative, filed his candidacy for the 1st District of Albay. During his interview post-filing, Bongalon emphasized his commitment to addressing key issues through “simple, realistic, and practical solutions.” He outlined a focus on education, health, agriculture, tourism, and trade, acknowledging that budget allocations would play a crucial role in the feasibility and implementation of these programs.
Bongalon is set to run against Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman, daughter of the current
1st District Representative Edcel Lagman. Both candidates are expected to leverage their political lineage and prior experience in their campaigns.
In the race for the 2nd District, former AKB representative Christopher Co also filed his COC. Co’s campaign platform focuses heavily on agriculture, employment, and education, as well as addressing infrastructural issues such as electricity, water supply, and traffic congestion. Notably, Co proposed the rehabilitation of the Albay Electric Cooperative and highlighted the need for enhanced disaster mitigation measures, which is critical given the calamity-prone nature of the region.
Additionally, the mayoral race in Legazpi City sees a new contender with Hisham Ismail, an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay, who filed his COC against the currently suspended mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal. Ismail, a registered nurse, expressed a focused intent to improve healthcare accessibility and infrastructure in the city, citing a significant shortage of
medicines and the need for more diagnostic centers.
This election cycle in Albay is shaping up to be highly competitive, with candidates bringing a variety of experiences and proposals to the forefront in hopes of addressing the diverse needs of their potential constituents.