Photo credit: PNA

Incumbent Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo has officially filed her candidacy for the Negros Oriental 3rd District seat in the House of Representatives. This announcement marks not just the beginning of a new chapter for her but a bold declaration of her intent to take the fight directly to the heart of the province’s long-standing issues.

Mayor Degamo is the widow of the late Governor Roel Degamo, who was killed in a brutal attack last March. Now, she’s stepping up to continue his legacy and fulfill the promise she made to herself and to the people of Negros Oriental—to see justice served and the violence brought to an end.

Sharing her emotional journey on Facebook, Janice poured her heart out, recounting the horror of losing her husband and vowing to stand up against those responsible for the turmoil in their beloved province. “On March 4th, 2023, my life was irreparably shattered when the love of my life was brutally taken from me,” she began. “Despite the watchful eyes of armed security from the AFP and PNP, my husband was mercilessly slain in a horrific act that reverberated throughout our nation.”

But it’s not just personal grief that’s driving her forward. It’s also the cries for justice from the people of Negros Oriental and the need to dismantle what she calls the “Teves Terrorist Group.” For Janice, the 3rd District, known as the stronghold of the Teves family, has become the pivotal battleground in this fight for the province’s future.

“I stand here not only as a grieving widow but as a fierce advocate for the hundreds of victims of the Teves Terrorist Group. Their cries for justice fuel my determination, and I will not rest until their suffering is acknowledged and justice is served,” she declared.

The candidacy isn’t just about winning a seat—it’s about challenging what she sees as a corrupt system and reclaiming the province’s dignity and safety. “This election is not merely a political contest. It is a pivotal moment for our future,” she continued. “The 3rd District is the stronghold of the Teves Terrorist Group and must be the battleground where we reclaim our dignity and safety.”

Despite the threats to her own life, Janice remains resolute. “I refuse to be intimidated. I draw strength from the love of my husband and the resilient spirit of the NegOrenses,” she said, adding that her campaign is a call to action for every citizen to rise up and reject the violence and fear that have long gripped the province.

Her candidacy is more than a bid for office; it’s a statement of defiance against oppression and a rallying cry for the people of Negros Oriental to unite for justice and peace. “The time for change is now, and it begins with us,” she urged. “Together, we can build a Negros Oriental where justice prevails, where peace reigns, and where love triumphs over hate.”

Janice Degamo’s run for the 3rd District seat is set to be a defining moment in the province’s political history. Will the people of Negros Oriental join her in this fight to end the violence and restore the province’s dignity? This upcoming election will reveal just how ready the province is for a new chapter of hope and change.