Incumbent Vice Governor of Oriental Mindoro EJay Falcon filed his Certificate of Candidacy and will run as 2nd district representative of the province. His wife Jana Falcon joined him in his COC filing earlier today. Courtesy: Ejay Falcon's Instagram page.

Actor-politician Ejay Falcon will not run for a second term as Vice Governor of Oriental Mindoro. Instead, he has filed a certificate of candidacy for a Congressional seat as representative of Oriental Mindoro's 2nd district.

Falcon submitted his COC on the last day of filing of certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections office in Calapan City.

In the 2022 elections, Falcon was paired with incumbent Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor, where he competed against and defeated the then-incumbent vice governor, Atty. Jojo Perez.

Dolor has also filed his certificate of candidacy to run for his last term.

Ejay Falcon finally graduates from college after 17 years

Falcon will face incumbent congressman Alfonso Umali, who has long held the stronghold of the 2nd district.

“Marami po akong nakikitang kailangan na dapat pang ayusin at paunlarin pa ang Segunda Distrito.” 

(I see many things that still need to be fixed and developed in the Second District.)

“Matagal ko itong pinag-isipan. Actually, halos isang taon at kalahati bago ako nagdesisyon.” 

(I thought about this for a long time. In fact, it took almost a year and a half before I made my decision.)

“Naniniwala ako na mas marami po akong magagawa sa Segunda Distrito dahil, syempre, ang congressman may sapat na pondo.”

(I believe I can do more for the Second District because, of course, as a congressman, I’ll have sufficient funding.) Falcon said.

Ejay Falcon adjusting well to politics, provincial life

Ejay Falcon thanks voters in Oriental Mindoro

Dolor's tandem for vice governor will be his brother, Provincial Administrator Dr. Hubert Dolor, who has also filed his COC.

“Partido bilang kandidatong bise-gobernador, dala rin ang kaniyang karanasan bilang tatlong terminong punong bayan at pangulo ng mga punong-bayan. Isang doktor, hindi siya pinili at pinulot kung saanman. Siya ay matagal na ring naglilingkod, may karanasan at may kakayahan. Ang offer namin, subukan ito dahil baka mas maunlad na Oriental Mindoro ang darating dito.” 

(Our party’s candidate for vice governor brings his experience as a three-term mayor and as the head of mayors. A doctor, he wasn’t just chosen from nowhere. He has been serving for a long time, has experience, and capability. We are offering him a chance, as this could lead to a more prosperous Oriental Mindoro.) Gov. Dolor said regarding his brother's candidacy.

The governor's wife, Hiyas Dolor, will also enter politics as the third nominee of the FPJ Party-list.

The governor denied that they are building a political dynasty in Oriental Mindoro.

“Sapagkat para sa akin, kung ito ay dinastiya, ito yung walang pine-perform, walang ginagawa. Kita naman ng lahat ang aking performance simula’t simula, at dumaan ito sa proseso. Nakita niyo naman ngayong araw na ito, may convention, may nominado, may orihinal na mga GSM na gustong tumakbo ngunit sila mismo ang nagpapaalam na walang pinuwersa.” 

(For me, if this were a dynasty, there would be no performance or action. Everyone has seen my performance from the start, and it went through a process. As you saw today, there was a convention, nominees, and original GSM members who wanted to run, but they themselves are saying there was no force exerted.) the governor added.

According to the governor, it would also be better if the two brothers were governor and vice governor, as this would expedite the approval of funds for projects.

Dolor emphasized that during his first term, he had two years without funds because the vice governor was not his ally.

“Ano ba ang mas gugustuhin natin ngayon, yung naranasan ko dati na ang budget ng kapitolyo ay hinold ng dalawang beses dahil ang mga nakaupo sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ay hindi ko mga kaalyado? Isang termino na lamang ako bilang governor at pagkatapos noon ay tapos na ako. Iiwan ko na rin ang pwesto kong ito, at gusto ko sa huli kong termino, hindi maantala ang mga proyekto para sa mamamayang Mindoreño.” 

(What would we prefer now? My previous experience where the provincial budget was withheld twice because those in the Provincial Board were not my allies? I only have one term left as governor, and after that, I’m done. I’ll leave this position, but in my final term, I don’t want projects for the people of Mindoro to be delayed.) explained Dolor.

Dolor's local political party, GSM, has also allied with the FPJ Panday Bayanihan, led by the son of Senator Grace Poe, Brian Poe Llamanzares.

Dolor will face Orvin Ravino, a first-time political candidate and real estate developer, in the gubernatorial race in Oriental Mindoro.