By Rachel Magday
In a bid to continue his leadership and the ongoing progress in Nueva Vizcaya, Gov. Atty. Jose V. Gambito officially filed his certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Provincial Office,Bayombong, on October 5.
Accompanied by his supportive family, including his wife Beth Gambito, their children, and grandchildren, Gov. Gambito emphasized the importance of family and community support in his political journey.
Gambito, who stepped into the gubernatorial role following the passing of Gov. Carlos M. Padilla, has been a staunch advocate for unity—a principle he shared with the late governor.
This shared vision of unity fostered a collaborative environment that has been crucial in the successful implementation of various programs and initiatives at the provincial capitol.
“After assuming the gubernatorial post, we have gained significant momentum with programs benefiting the Novo Vizcayanos. I am committed to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that our progress continues uninterrupted,” he expressed.
Under his administration, Nueva Vizcaya has achieved remarkable milestones, including being recognized as the second fastest-growing economy in the Philippines and being declared an insurgency-free province. Recently, the province was also recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as a national passer for the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), highlighting its commitment to transparency and effective governance.
Furthermore, Gambito himself was recognized as one of the top three best-performing governors in the Cagayan Valley, underscoring his exemplary leadership.
Gov. Gambito is committed to advancing his flagship projects, including “Kalsada ti Kabanbantayan,” “WiFi ti Umili,” and “Silaw ti Umili,” all designed to improve infrastructure, connectivity, and community services.
A key focus of his agenda is inclusive governance, ensuring that every sector of society is represented and benefits from provincial initiatives. Additionally, his holistic approach prioritizes tourism, agriculture, education, health ,social welfare and environmental sustainability, aiming to create a thriving and equitable community for all Novo Vizcayanos.
Joining him in his candidacy filing was former Gov. Ruth R. Padilla, who is running for a congressional seat. Despite being political opponents for the past decade, Gambito and Padilla have chosen to set aside their differences and collaborate for the benefit of the Novo Vizcayanos.
Together, they aim to extend their legacy of unity and development under the coalition of the Nacionalista Party and Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
Also part of their team is last-termer board member Patricio”Patpat” F. Dumlao Jr., who will vie for the vice gubernatorial position. Additionally,
PB Theodore Omar Santos has filed his certificate of candidacy for Board Member of the North District under the NP-PFP coalition.
The partnership between Gambito and Padilla aims to foster growth and development in Nueva Vizcaya, guided by unity, teamwork, and inclusivity. As they prepare for the upcoming term, their shared vision will help lead the province toward a brighter and more inclusive future.
