Lucy Torres now Leyte lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines - The Provincial Board of Canvassers of Leyte yesterday proclaimed television host Lucy Torres-Gomez as congresswoman of the province’s fourth district.

Torres-Gomez received 101,250 votes over her rival Eufrocino “Winnie” Codilla who got 76,273 votes.

Torres-Gomez, 35, replaced her husband, actor Richard Gomez, after the latter was disqualified by the Commission on Elections for lack of residency.

Torres-Gomez, who hails from Ormoc City, finished a Business Management degree at the University of the Philippines in Cebu.

The Gomezes have one child, Juliana Marie Beatriz.

“Finally it’s over. It was a very sweet victory for my husband after the legal battles that we have to deal with,” Torres-Gomez told The STAR.

She vowed to do her best to serve her constituents despite her lack of experience in politics.

“I am now given the responsibility to serve. I cannot betray that,” she said.

She, however, said she is not leaving show business despite winning the elections.

“I will not leave my showbiz career. My work there doesn’t require so much of my time. I still have plenty of time to do my work in Congress,” she said.

Torres-Gomez hosts TV5’s “Shall We Dance” and “PO5” and QTV11’s “The Sweet Life.” She also writes a weekly column for The STAR.