Ex-Customs exec not running for NE gov, says lawmaker-wife

ALIAGA, Nueva Ecija, Philippines – Neophyte first district Rep. Estrellita Suansing has denied reports that her husband is running for governor in the 2016 elections.

Suansing told journalists that her husband, former Customs deputy commissioner Horacio Suansing, harbors no political ambitions and has no plan to enter the gubernatorial race in 2016.

“Truth to tell, my husband has no political ambitions in Nueva Ecija. Even supposing he has ambitions, he will run somewhere else, not in Nueva Ecija. Never,” Suansing said.

Suansing, a close ally of outgoing three-term Gov. Aurelio Umali, said she and her husband are no political threats to Umali and his wife, outgoing third district Rep. Czarina, and that his planned political foray is pure speculation.

The first-term congresswoman, who ended the Josons’ 15-year dominance in the first district with a landslide victory last year, was reacting to reports that her husband is bent on entering politics in the province.

Earlier, Umali declared that his wife is running for governor in 2016.

Also being reported to be eyeing the governorship are former three-term fourth district congressman Rodolfo Antonino, Cabanatuan City Mayor Julius Cesar Vergara’s wife Rosanna, and outgoing second district Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago.

Vice Gov. Jose Gay Padiernos, who was Umali’s running mate in the past two elections, is also being mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate.

Padiernos said he has not disclosed his political plans yet even as reports continue to circulate that he has been eyeing the post of either governor, congressman or even mayor of Gapan City.

Suansing, a member of Umali’s Unang Sigaw Partido ng Pagbabago, has been reported in the social media as planning to bolt the governor’s camp to join the camp of Antonino, Violago and Vergara.

Suansing denied this, saying she was never aware of any political alliance involving the three. “How can I possibly jump ship and join their camp when I don’t even know of an alliance involving them?” she said, adding she is a friend to all three.

She said she is concerned with helping her district. “More than choosing to join them, I am focused on attending to the needs of my constituents,” she said.