Interagency Council for Traffic chief Thomas Orbos will be running for a congressional seat in the 2019 midterm elections.
Orbos, a concurrent Department of Transportation undersecretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure, on Wednesday filed his certificate of candidacy as representative of 1st district of Pangasinan.
A native of Pangasinan, Orbos said he intended to give Pangasinenses the “Orbos-style” public service where people are priority.
He said: “There is a moral decay and so many missed opportunities from the current representation in Pangasinan. We cannot afford to just let this pass.
“We have to do something for our province again. We want to give them the kind of governance they deserve by providing them quality social services and championing their welfare through policy-building measures.
“We assure our people of improved representation in the Congress.”
Orbos said he would bring to Congress the experiences he had from serving the executive department since the time he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the Metro Manila Development Authority general manager and eventually acting chairman until last May 2017.
He was then reappointed as Undersecretary for Roads and Infrastructure at the Department of Transportation and head of I-ACT.
Orbos, during his stint at the MMDA, introduced and implemented traffic policies such as the no-window hour, expanded number coding, and light trucks ban.
He also spearheaded the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program under the DoTr. The program aims to make the country’s public transport system safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
Orbos is the son of Guillermo Orbos and Concepcion Muñoz.
His father was noted as the “most respected Bureau of Customs Collector at the Port of Manila” and was known for his legendary integrity.
His brothers Fr. Jerry and Oscar were also public servants.
Renowned priest Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD, is known as the “Healing Priest” while Oscar, more popularly known as “Ka Oca,” served as Pangasinan governor from 1985 to 1990, Representative for 1st District of Pangasinan during the 8th and 9th Congress, Department of Transportation and Communications secretary in 1990 and executive secretary from 1990-1991.
Orbos’ wife, Ditas Colet-Orbos, is the daughter of former Pangasinan governor Rafael Colet.
The first district of Pangasinan comprises Alaminos City, Agno, Anda, Bani, Bolinao, Burgos, Dasol, Infanta, Mabini, and Sual.
This district is home to Hundred Islands, a popular tourist destination in the country.
