Rimpy: ‘I will surely run’
MINALIN - Fourth district Representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc will continue to puzzle Kapampangan voters on his plans for the 2019 midterm elections less than a month before the official filing of certificates of candidacy.
In an ambush interview during the inauguration of the PasacCulcul bridges on Thursday, Bondoc said that he will surely run for an office during the upcoming polls but did not disclose what position.
“Basta siguradu tagal ku. Nung nanu ing tagalan ku, panayan yu namu (I will surely seek for a position on the upcoming election, but you will have to wait
to know what position I will be seeking),” said Bondoc when asked about his plans.
Bondoc, who was first elected in the House of Representatives in 1998, still has a remaining one term before he complete a full nine-year term for an elective position.
Rumors in the political arena during the last quarter of 2017 claimed that Bondoc will seek the gubernatorial seat in the 2019 elections after incumbent Governor Lilia Pineda finishes her three terms.
PDP-Laban Central Luzon Chairman Tito Mendiola even branded Bondoc as the most probable official candidate of President Rodrigo Duterte’s party for governor of the Pampanga province during a forum with the Capampangan in Media, Inc.
Bondoc never confirmed nor denied the said rumor but hinted about his political plans after he told mediamen that “he does not want to run for governor because those who do not want to run emerged as winners.”
During the first quarter of 2018, rumors circulated that Bacolor Mayor Jose Mari “Jomar” Hizon will run as vice governor and will be Bondoc’s runningmate.
A photograph of the two officials, together with other political allies, has been uploaded on social media platform Facebook.
Hizon, who is on his last term as the local chief executive of the lahar-stricken town, did not also confirm nor deny the allegations.
Incumbent Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda is reportedly eyeing the gubernatorial seat. The younger Pineda is also still mum about his political plans yet.