MANILA, Philippines —The mayor of Masbate City has filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) for the 2025 gubernatorial race, saying that real change is not going to happen through sweet talk and mere political charm.
Mayor Socrates Tuason said his battle cry includes fixing the water and power utilities problems, curbing illegal gambling and fishing operations, and putting an end to the rampant borrowing that buries the province in debt.
Tuason, the Liberal Party’s provincial chairman, was accompanied by his wife, incumbent City Vice Mayor Rowena Tuason, and his candidates for Board Member Julius Aguilar and Alexander Albao when he filed his CoC.
In an interview with reporters, Tuason laid down the reasons why he is running for governor.
‘Mali na wala Silang ginawa para ayusin ang kuryente. Mali na wala Silang ginawa para ayusin [serbisyo] sa tubig. Mali na wala Silang ginawa para ayusin ang hospital. Mali na nandyan ang loteng. Mali na nandyan ang illegal fishing. Mali na nangutang ng P2.7B (The provincial government has turned a blind eye on the electricity and water service problems, on the issues hounding the provincial hospital, and rampant “loteng” — an illegal numbers game,) he said.
“Ang pagpapa takbo ng dinastiyang ito ay mali. Kaya dapat itama ang mali (political dynasty is wrong, which needs to be corrected),” he added.
He claimed that the province has not progressed in the past 15 years.
“The provincial funds should be used for basic services such as water, electricity, hospital, livelihood for fisher folk, farmers, assistance to students, businesses, education, and all government agencies,” Tuason said.
He vowed to put an end to illegal fishing and illegal gambling, and to ensure a 24-hour power service for Masbate. He also said that he intends to improve all the hospitals in the province.
