By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A former official and staunch supporter of the Liberal Party (LP) in Capiz, along with a congressional candidate for the 1st District, have joined the administration’s political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP).
Paolo Roxas, the son of former Senator Mar Roxas, has also joined PFP, making him one of two congressional candidates under the party for the 1st District of Capiz.
Del Rosario, a former member of the LP for over 40 years, left the party due to alleged political disagreements with local LP officials.
Pinuno Party-list Rep. Howard Guintu, a political newcomer, filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Wednesday, October 3, for congressman in the 1st District of Capiz.
Paolo Roxas is expected to file his COC before the October 8 deadline.
Paolo took his oath as a PFP member on October 2, 2024, before Iloilo Governor Arthur Toto Defensor Jr.
Reports indicate that Del Rosario has been appointed as the PFP provincial chairman in Capiz.
A former 1st District congressman and governor of Capiz, Del Rosario is now aiming to run for mayor of Roxas City, challenging incumbent Mayor Ronnie Dadivas in the upcoming midterm elections.
Other Capiz political figures who took their oath with PFP include board members Sonny Besa and Pepe Del Rosario, Pilar Mayor Arnold Perez, Panay Vice Mayor Amy Asis-Bermejo, former Pontevedra Mayor Jojie Avelino, and other municipal candidates for next year’s elections.
The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Romulo Darroca, Regional President of PFP Region 6; Regie Sunido, Secretary General of PFP Region 6; and Francis Uy, PFP Provincial Chairman for Negros Island and Siquijor.
The Partido Federal ng Pilipinas is part of the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition for the 2025 elections.
The coalition includes the Nacionalista Party, Lakas-CMD, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), National Unity Party (NUP), and PFP.