Ex-Vizcaya vice gov makes comeback after nine years

By Leander C. Domingo

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya -- Former vice governor Jose Gambito has filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) on Tuesday to run for vice governor of Nueva Vizcaya anew after nine years as a private citizen.
    Gambito's last post in the provincial government was in 2013 when he completed his three consecutive terms as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
    Before his stint as vice governor, Gambito has served as a provincial board member also for three consecutive terms.
    If he wins the vice gubernatorial race in the 2022 polls, he will replace Vice Gov. Jose Tomas, a first termer who decided to challenge incumbent Carlos Padilla who is running for his last term as governor.
    Padilla's camp said the governor filed his CoC on Oct. 8.
    Gambito, who is also a lawyer by profession, is running under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party.
    Team Atty. Jose Jing Gambito 2022, a group pushing for his comeback in public service said Gambito served as vice governor of the province and he has a proven track record with excellent credentials in leading the provincial board.
    "As a lawyer, he has the ability, competence, commitment, fairness and focused leadership, a tremendous asset in the provincial legislature," the group said.
    So far, only Gambito has filed a CoC for vice governor in the province.