Bicolano solons hit Joey Salceda's plan to run for Congress under ‘unity ticket’

Two Bicolano lawmakers accused Albay Gov. Joey Salceda Monday of breaking his promise to unite local political leaders when he announced his plan to run as congressman of the province's second district over the weekend.

 

Ako Bicol party-list Reps. Rodel Batocabe and Christopher Co said they are "at a loss" on Salceda's sudden turnaround after he repeatedly assured them he will not be running for a seat in Congress to keep the unity among Albay's political leaders "for the common good."

 

"It is unfortunate that Gov. Salceda has announced a so-called 'unity ticket' in Albay as an excuse for him to change his mind again and run for the second congressional district of Albay," they said.

 

The lawmakers said they thought Salceda was acting in good faith when he told them, as well as Albay Rep. Al Francis Bichara and Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal, that he will not contest Co's planned bid for district representative in the 2016 elections.

 

They said local political leaders cannot be convinced to unite and set aside their personal interests "if there is no good faith, truthfulness and utmost sincerity" on Salceda's part.

 

"How can there be unity if Gov. Salceda is saying one thing and doing completely the opposite?" they asked.

 

A report published by the Philippine Daily Inquirer Sunday quoted Salceda as saying that the creation of a "unity ticket" in Albay had the blessing of local politicians allied with the Aquino administration, including Batocabe, Co, Bichara and Rosal.

 

Under the governor's proposal, Bichara will run for governor while Salceda will seek election as congressional representative. Co, meanwhile, will run for reelection as party-list representative.

 

Salceda, the Liberal Party's chairperson for Albay, also proposed that administration allies who are part of the "unity ticket" will run unopposed for other local posts.
— Xianne Arcangel/JDS, GMA News