CLARK FREEPORT — The clamor of the people has pushed former 1st District Rep. and now NLEx basketball team coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao to seek to retake his congressional seat in the 2019 elections.
Guiao announced his intention to run in next year’s polls during a meeting with his supporters over-the-weekend in time for the birthday of his father, the late former governor Bren Z. Guiao.
“Definitely I will run again for congressman and continue my programs for the first district,” he said.
Guiao will square off with Angeles City mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines president Edgardo Pamintuan in the congressional race.
Pamintuan had earlier announced his intention to run for Congress after serving three terms as mayor.
Guaiao and Pamintuan will face incumbent Rep. Carmelo “Jonjon” Lazatin II who will seek reelection.
During his stint in Congress, Guiao lobbied for the Clark authority which will give a clear autonomy to Clark in order to chart its own development. He also pushed for the high-speed railway project that would connect the Clark International Airport (CIA) to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The fast train is seen to boost the CIA as North Luzon’s premier airport.
Guiao said the railway system will also connect Manila to other main cities in Central Luzon which is seen to decongest NAIA through the realization of twin airport system connecting NAIA to CIA.
Guiao also advocated during his term for the transfer the National Training Center at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum here because its location in Manila makes it prone to flooding, pollution and traffic congestion.
“The idea then was to put up a sports stadium which would not only allow our athletes to train, but also provide them a dormitory. It was also suggested to have a school inside the sports stadium to allow them to study,” Guiao said.
Guiao, dubbed “Mr. Clark” in the House of Representatives, had also challenged the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to require airlines to establish regular flights at the CIA.
This, he said, should be the condition before the airline companies are given CAB permits for regular landing rights at the already congested NAIA.
He stressed CAB should have the political will to mandate airlines to also have regular flights at Clark as condition for granting landing rights at NAIA.
Guiao is determined to continue his plans of pushing more bills that would generate more economic benefits.
He served as first district representative from 2014- 2017. Before his stint as lawmaker, he served as the vice governor of Pampanga for three terms. The son of former Pampanga governor Bren Z. Guiao, Guiao started out his political career in Pampanga as board member in 2001
