Relaxed and confident on his chances, Davao del Norte (2nd district) Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. on Thursday filed his certificate of candicacy for re-election in Tagum City, looking to cruise towards another term.
“Fair is fair once we make it anew,” he said. “Besides, it is not I but our constituents who will suffer if others are deprived by those in power.”
Floirendo also looked happy to file his candidacy under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago regional party, the same party that is bannered by Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony Del Rosario who is also seeking another term.
Floirendo refuses to attach any special meaning to his candidacy, saying it was a normal thing to do. But as chair of the House committee on public works, he said he was bent on a mission to stop the excesses attributed to first-district congressman Pantaleon Alvarez when he was speaker of the House.
Floirendo also vowed to expose “the litany of abuses that Alvarez as House Speaker has committed. He also promised to identify in public the individuals who have enriched themselves during the House Speaker’s watch.
He also hinted other cases against Alvarez will be pursued, in addition to the case of libel he filed against the former House Speaker for alluding to the Floirendos as landgrabbers.
He lamented that his district has been kept in the dark for two years after it was deprived of congressional allotment under Alvarez.
Floirendo said that given another chance, he would work to infuse more development initiatives to help fuel the economic growth of the province.
“More than anything else,” he said, “the welfare of the people cannot be set aside in favour of conflicts that undermine the objective of pursuing economic goals.”
He added: “But we must not overlook those who betrayed public trust. They must be charged in court to answer for their abuses.”
Floirendo met with his supporters in Panabo City before he proceeded to file his candidacy in Tagum City.
“It is nice to be with all our supporters as one family during this first day of filing,” he said.
He said his priority is to work to bring back political normalcy, harmony and progress to his district and to the region.
Floirendo, considered one of the biggest contributors to President Duterte’s candidacy is seeking his fifth term under different circumstances.
He was kicked out from the ruling PDP-Laban by Alvarez but found a sanctuary in the Hugpong ng Pagbabago that denounced Alvarez during its launching last year.
He was also deprived of committee chairmanships but bounced back when Alvarez was toppled as speaker.
The second district covers the Panabo City, Island Garden City of Samal and the municipalities of Sto. Tomas, Braulio E. Dujali and Carmen. It has an estimated population of 500,000.
