Congressional candidate Rosanna “Ria” Vergara in Nueva Ecija on Sunday deplored the “political harassment” against her by the camp of Gov. Aurelio Umali who, according to her, is behind the disqualification case filed by a certain Philip Piccio.
Vergara, wife of the Cabanatuan City Mayor Jay Vergara, claimed that Piccio is an ally of Umali, who is seeking the post of 3rd district representative. Umali is ending his term as provincial governor.
Piccio filed a Cancellation of Certificate of Candidacy against Vergara, apparently to ensure Umali’s victory in next year’s polls.
Vergara alleged that Piccio has an ax to grind against them because in 2013, she filed 9 counts of libel against Piccio.The libel charges against Piccio, which are still in effect, stemmed from Piccio’s allegations that Jay is an immigrant from US when he has been mayor of Cabanatuan for five terms.
“I am fully confident that the law is on my side. I am a natural-born Filipino citizen. I have been a registered voter in the City of Cabanatuan since 1994, and as such, have been a resident thereof at least since that time. I am more than qualified and, more to the point, competent to run as and be the representative of the Third District of Nueva Ecija,” said the congressional bet.
“This is nothing more than personal and political vendetta,” she stressed.
Vergara claimed that when news broke out that she would seek the congressional post, Umali immediately sent out word that it would be a “walk in the park” to beat her.
“No question or comment about my qualifications as a would-be candidate. Since I started going around and because I have gained a strong following, my opponent has now resorted to filing this frivolous case and his lackey is the appointed political assassin,” she pointed out.
Vergara also said that she has nothing to hide and that she is more than ready to face Umali as her opponent.
“I have nothing to hide. I am ready to fight, fair and square—in court, before the Comelec and in the 2016 polls,” Vergara exclaimed.