Floirendo to run unopposed for Davao Norte gov

DAVAO CITY – Davao del Norte second district Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. is virtually the province’s next governor as he is reportedly running unopposed for the position in the May 14 mid-term elections.

Floirendo, who is on his third and last term as congressman, earlier said he would instead run for governor. Incumbent Gov. Gelacio Gementiza filed his certificate of candidacy last Tuesday for mayor of Tagum City, the provincial capital.

With Gementiza out of the race, nobody is said to be eyeing the governorship, except Floirendo.

Gementiza bolted the ruling Lakas-Christian, Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) last week and took his oath as a member of the Genuine Opposition.

Political observers said Gementiza’s decision to run for Tagum City mayor shows that his resources could not match the vast political machinery of the Floirendos in the province.

Meanwhile, Floirendo’s nephew Anton Lagdameo, husband of actress Dawn Zulueta, is running for second district congressman.

Floirendo’s decision to seek the governorship spoiled the earlier plan of his cousin, Vice Gov. Rafael Antonio del Rosario, son of Presidential Adviser on New Government Centers Rodolfo del Rosario, to aspire for the position.

The young Del Rosario was earlier the one being groomed to become the next governor but had to respect the family’s decision to field Floirendo instead.

The Floirendos control the banana industry in the region.