DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines - Former Finance Secretary Margarito "Gary" Teves has declared that he will run for governor of Negros Oriental in the 2013 elections.
Teves made his statement during an interview with reporters during the opening of the 16th Farm Family Congress at the Quezon Park in this city, of which he was the guest speaker.
The 68-year-old Teves said he decided to run for governor after getting recently the support from the people in the province, students and private sectors.
He declared that he is still mentally and physically fit for the job considering that he does daily exercises and plays golf at least twice a week.
In a related development, Representative George Arnaiz (2nd district, Negros Oriental) and Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria have thrown their support to Teves for the gubernatorial race in 2013.
Governor Roel Degamo, who earlier declared his intention to run for governor in the coming polls, said he welcomed Teves' bid.
Representative Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st dist., Negros Or.) also floated earlier her name to run for governor but she told reporters that she was still open for the position considering that she was the provincial head of the Liberal Party. She also welcomed the decision of Teves.
"Kung ang akong serbisyo kinahanglanon sa mga katawhan sa Negros Oriental akong dawaton ang tanyag, apan layo pa kaayo ang elections sa 2013. Ang ako trabaho una para sa akong katawhan sa unang distrito," Limkaichong said. (FREEMAN)