In Samar’s first district, it’s Final!

Grey versus Uy in 2007 congressional race

By ROMMEL L. RUTOR
November 16, 2066

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  – Despite his earlier pronouncement that he won’t be running against incumbent congressman Reynaldo S. Uy of Samar’s first district, San Jorge mayor Joseph “Jojo” Grey is now definite of his bid for the congressional seat in the upcoming 2007 local elections.

The decision was made final during a press conference here last October 30, 2006, with Mayor Grey revealing a political paranoia that is hounding the province’ first district which accordingly made him decide to go head on with incumbent Congressman Uy.

Grey explained that he could have opted to stay as the Mayor of San Jorge, stressing that he made a vow to his constituents that he will not leave San Jorge until progress and development would be evident in the said town.

“But I have no choice, pinipilit ako ng sitwasyon at nang mga tao na gusto na nang pagba-bago, ayaw niya rin akong tigilan kahit noon pa man sinabi ko na, na hindi ko siya babanggain at totoo sana iyon, pero hindi ko na mapapalagpas ang mga nangyayari ngayon, I discovered that Congressman Uy is masterminding a demolishment job against me kaya pagpasensiyahan na niya ako, pero ito ang nakikita ko na pinaka-magandang paraan para mawala na ang mga patayan dito sa first district ng Samar”, Mayor Grey stressed.

The chief executive likewise explained that he is not totally leaving his town and the San Jorgehanons who have been very supportive of his political career, “Ang nakikita ko mas na mabibiya-yaan sila kung ang mayor nila ang magiging sunod na congressman, kaya palagay ko hindi sila magtatampo sa naging desisyon ko”, he clarified.

As this developed, Mayor Grey posed his challenge to incumbent congressman Uy, particularly pointing out the contents of the solon’s letter to DILG Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno last October 12, 2006. Grey relayed to the media his willingness to publicly undergo a drug test together with his wife and the rest of his family and security personnel, if the solon from Samar’s first district will likewise do so.

“Pinagbibintangan niya drug addict ako, sige sabay-sabay kaming magpa-drug test sa harap ng mga tao, kasama ang asawa niya at mga anak niya at kasama ko rin ang pamilya ko”, Grey told.

In the same occasion Grey clarified that the allegations of his involvement in various killings in San Jorge and Gandara is purely a political ploy allegedly instigated by Congressman Uy.

He pointed out that even before he embarked into politics in 2004, Samar’s first district is already known to be a war zone during and even after election period, “and I want that image eliminated, I am challenging Congressman Uy that within the 45 days campaign period, parehas kaming magpa-custody sa isang ecumenical group, walang cellphone at walang bisita hanggang sa matapos ang botohan”, he told.

“With that, kahit na hindi ako manalo sa eleksiyon, ang importante naibigay ko sa mga taga first district ang 45 na araw na walang gulo at walang patayan na eleksiyon, pagpapatunay na hindi totoo ang mga binibintang laban sa akin na mga patayan sa bayan na pinagsisibilhan ko”, Grey added.

Initial information gathered by this writer showed that Mayor Grey’s bid for the congressional seat will be carried out by former congressman Rodolfo Tuazon, who is reportedly vying for the Calbayog City executive post against Mayor Mel Sarmiento.

Grey is likewise being supported by incumbent Governor Milagrosa T. Tan who is seeking re-election against a prospective rival in the person of Mayor Neliptha Figueroa who is being urged to run for Governor in the 2007 elections.