EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – House Minority Leader and 4Ps Partylist Representative Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan announced on Wednesday, October 2, his decision to do away with his plan to seek Eastern Samar’s lone congressional seat.
His announcement followed a meeting on Tuesday, October 1, where an agreement was struck: Eastern Samar Representative Maria Fe Abunda, seeking a third and final term, would run unopposed.
Libanan, a formidable political force in the region for decades, stepped aside, clearing the path for Abunda’s campaign.
Photos of the meeting, showing a teary-eyed Libanan and Abunda embracing in reconciliation, circulated online at the close of the first day of the certificate of candidacy (COC) filing.
Present at the meeting were notable figures, including Speaker Martin Romualdez, Tingog Partylist Representative Jude Acidre, and Eastern Samar Governor Ben Evardone.
Libanan told a press conference that throughout his political career, he has always advocated for political stability. He volunteered to withdraw his candidacy before Romualdez, who worked to foster unity among the province’s political leaders.
Libanan, a major political figure in Eastern Visayas since the 1990s, previously held the congressional seat for Eastern Samar for three terms starting in 1998. He has since been closely associated with various government aid programs.
In August, Governor Evardone, who ran alongside Abunda in the 2022 elections, formed an alliance with Libanan, with the approval of Romualdez and key local leaders.
Abunda, first elected in 2019, is expected to campaign for a third term without strong opposition in next year’s midterm elections.
However, Libanan’s withdrawal from the congressional race comes with conditions for Abunda. One of these includes persuading politicians in Abunda’s group, including those running for governor, vice governor, provincial board, and municipal council seats, to step aside in favor of incumbent officials based on the “equity of the incumbent” principle.
Following this political maneuver, Libanan will remain the first nominee of the 4Ps Partylist.
Libanan also brushed aside talk that he was offered the position of Interior Secretary. Instead, he reiterated his commitment to serving the region.
“Kun inayat kita hin pagsakripisyo, akon in-offer an akon sarili para la hiton kaupayan hit Eastern Samar, hit Region VIII, ngan hiton aton bug-os nga Pilipinas,” Libanan said.
(When I was called to make a sacrifice, I offered myself for the betterment of Eastern Samar, Region VIII, and the entire Philippines.)
Libanan and Abunda have yet to file their COCs for reelection as of posting time. – Rappler.com