Ako Bicol party-list is seeking reelection in the 2025 midterm national and local elections (NLE), with incumbent Representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co as first nominee.
Former Representative Alfredo Garbin Jr., the party-list’s second nominee, faced the media after filing their certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the Manila Hotel Tent City on Monday.
According to Garbin Jr., the party-list will resuscitate talks of Charter change (Cha-cha) through people’s initiative (PI) should they secure a seat at the House of Representatives in next year’s elections.
“As you remember in the 18th Congress, I was the chair of the Committee of Constitutional Amendments where we were able to pass the Resolution of Both House (RBH) No. 2 patungkol sa (regarding the) economic provisions of our Constitution. I think that’s the farthest we’ve gone na kung saan (wherein) super majority of the 18th Congress ay pinagbotohan ang pag-aamyenda ng (cast their votes regarding amending the) restrictive economic provisions ng ating Saligang Batas (of our Constitution),” he said.
“If you will ask me if I will continue to fight amending the restrictive economic provisions…na naghahadlang sa pagpasok ng foreign direct investment…ilalaban ko pa rin. I think this is one of the hadlang sa pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya,” he added.
(If you ask me if I’ll continue to fight to amend the restrictive economic provisions that hinder the entry of foreign direct investment, my answer is yes. I think this is one of the obstacles to the growth of our economy.)
Garbin further said the party-list is still hoping the Senate will take action on the proposed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 7 for the possible holding of a plebiscite during the May 2025 polls.
“We need to open up the economy as wide as possible and remove those restrictions,” he added.
Other party-lists that filed their CONAs for the 2025 polls are Damayang Pilipino Party-list, which seeks more accessible healthcare for Filipinos, and Ako Ilocano Ako Party-list, which vowed to advocate for healthcare, education and farmers’ welfare.
Former PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica is joining the political race in #Eleksyon2025, this time as the first nominee of Bisaya Gyud (BG) party-list. pic.twitter.com/myBnDuBwJJ
— Sundy Locus ???????? (@sundylocus_) October 7, 2024
Bisaya Gyud Party-list also formalized its bid for the May 2025 elections, with former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Grego Belgica as first nominee. Belgica ran for senator in the 2022 polls but failed to win a Senate seat.
The last day of filing for certificates of candidacy and CONA is on Tuesday, October 8. —KG, GMA Integrated News
