ILOILO – An attendant of a water refilling station in Pototan, Iloilo caused quite a stir on the first day of the five-day period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 13, 2019 midterm elections. A relative unknown in the field of provincial politics, he is running for governor.
The 31-year-old Jonry Gargarita of Barangay Lay-ahan, Pototan, running as an independent candidate, appeared unfazed that he would be clashing against established politicians – that is, if he is not disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
His rivals for governor are Cong. Ferjenel Biron of the Nacionalista Party and Cong. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan.
Gargarita said he opted to run for the province’s top elective post because as governor he would have wider latitude to execute his plans for Iloilo. He, however, did not elaborate.
“Kon gobernador daw may choice ako kon ano ang gusto ko,” said Gargarita as he filed his COC yesterday afternoon at the Comelec provincial office on Lopez Jaena Street, La Paz, Iloilo City.
But his governance vision apparently goes beyond the borders of Iloilo province. He wants to tame inflation by freezing the excise tax on fuel – something that is beyond the authority of a provincial governor.
Gargarita was originally from Negros Occidental. He studied at Progreso Elementary School in Binalbagan town and Angela Gonzaga National High School in Bacolod City.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminology college degree at the West Negros University.
“Pareho sa mga drivers, instead nga daku ang ila makuha sa pagbiyahe i…ano pa nila sa gasoline. Dapat punggan naton ang pagtaas sang inflation rate for the good and interest of the Filipino people,” said Gargarita.
He also wants to be the voice of the youth, he said.
“Dapat may tawo nga nagatindog para sa future generation kay kaluoy kag wala gid sang bwas damlag ang aton kabataan,” said Gargarita.
Gargarita filed his COC a few hours after Biron filed his yesterday. Defensor, on the other hand, is expected to file his COC on Oct. 17, the last day of filing.
He had nothing to say about them, he said.
According to Gargarita, he joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Army Reserve Command, in 2008 but left the service in 2014.
“Kay indi ako kuntento sang trabaho sang gobyerno. Ang AFP at that time grabe ang corruption,” said Gargarita.
In 2014 Gargarita said he moved to Pototan, Iloilo to be near his girlfriend, a resident of Barangay Lay-ahan and found a job at a water refilling station.
“Kon magdaog ko ti mapakasal kami,” said Gargarita.
It was only in August 2018 when he decided to transfer his voter’s registration from Negros Occidental to Pototan, said Gargarita.
He had the support of his girlfriend and family, he added./PN
