ORMOC CITY, Philippines — Engineer Violy Codilla, who is running for representative of Leyte's 4th district, and her husband, re-electionist Ormoc City Mayor Edward "Ondo" Codilla have launched their official campaign on Easter Sunday at the City Plaza.
Violy and Ondo first attended the Easter Sunday Mass before proceeding to the plaza for the scheduled opening salvo attended by thousands of supporters and local candidates of the city and six towns of the district.
Violy, who is running against incumbent Representative Lucy Torres Gomez, spoke of pursuing her platforms, such as the establishment and enhancement of livelihood skills training.
According to the Ormocanons, Violy and Ondo were instrumental in the preparatory training of a number of welders, masons, electricians, drivers and the like who are now working abroad.
"Schools and training facilities for TESDA -related programs will be put up in the local government units around the district," Violy told the crowd.
Violy and Ondo were also credited for their quick response efforts and leadership in the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda, resulting in the city's quick recovery, which prompted the national government to make the city the hub for the Eastern Visayas relief operation.
The mayor, for his part, said that, while he managed government operations, Violy utilized the family's private firm's personnel, equipment and resources, and worked through the night and off hours "for the clearing operations in the market area and ports, then the main thoroughfares."
Violy was known as coming from a poor family and was used to riding a carabao-drawn cart. She was a working student at the University of the Visayas where she graduated Civil Engineering and went on to pass the licensure exam.
Violy and Ondo now have a successful construction business, but she never wavered in showing compassion to the poor. Their family had donated lot, now totaling more than 50 hectares, for various resettlement housing projects in areas not only in the fourth district, but also in the city.
The Codillas, said a source from the religious sector, played pivotal roles in the construction of at least 13 major Catholic churches and shrines in Eastern Visayas. (FREEMAN)