by Ma.Arlene Gabon
Tacloban City’Incumbent Representative Richard “Goma” Gomez of the 4th district of Leyte filed today (Oct. 3) his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Comelec regional office in Tacloban City for his re-election bid in the 2025 national and local elections.
Goma was accompanied.by his wife, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy, their daughter Juliana, and brother-in-law Kananga town Mayor Matt Torres.
Goma did not give any statement yet to the local media but, after filing his COC, he pumped his fist in the air to the starstruck public as his gesture of confidence that he will be re-elected against any possible opponent.
Earlier on the second day of COC filing, in October 2 (Wednesday), Goma accompanied his wife incumbent Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez of Ormoc City in filing her own COC, also for re-election in the midterm elections next year.
Lucy’s legislative slate, dubbed as the Ormoc Development Team (ODT), also filed their respective COCs. Leading them was Vice Mayor Toto Locsin Jr., who is seeking re-election too.
Other ODT members who are seeking re-election as city councilors are incumbents Lalaine Marcos, Perok Rodriguez, Caren Torres-Rama, Dr. Edmund Kierulf, and lawyers Burt Pades and Jasper Lucero.
Completing Lucy’s ODT ticket who likewise filed their COCs for city councilor posts are Tommy Serafica, Dr. Gerry Penserga, lawyer Ari Larrazabal, and Ormoc SK Federation president, ex-officio city councilor Krizia Mercadal.