For unity’s sake, Yabut sets aside congressional bid

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Board Member Ricardo Yabut said Tuesday for “unity’s sake and the welfare of his constituents” in Sto. Tomas, San Luis, Candaba, San Simon , Minalin, Macabebe and Masantol he is setting aside bid for a seat in the Lower House, as he gives way to Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo.

Yabut told Sun.Star Pampanga he instead will aspire to finish his term as a provincial lawmaker where he is bound to become a senior board member if re-elected to the august body in 2013.

“First, it is for unity’s sake that I would give way to Mayor Pelayo who has similarly professed his desire to run for congress. Ito ay upang hindi magkawatak-watak ang partido at magpatuloy ang ating serbisyo sa ating mga cabalen. Kailangan nating magsakripisyo alang-alang sa ating mga nasasakupan sa Fourth District,” he said.

The second reason of his dropping out of the supposed race with Pelayo and comebacking former Congressman Rimpy Bondoc in next year’s polls, Yabut noted , was in respect to the request of Governor Lilia Pineda to continue his work at the Provincial Board, much that he, together with colleague Board Member Nestor Tolentino, are still very much needed there.

“Ayon na rin ang aking pagtabi sa request ng ating governor dahil kailangan pa daw ako sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan. I still have a term anyway and I have not filed my certificate of candidacy. Kaya tuloy pa rin ang ating serbisyo kahit alam natin na mas marami tayong matutulungan kung tayo ay nasa kongreso. Pero para sa bayan, handa tayong magbigay,” he added.

Yabut however stressed that he is looking ahead to 2016 to pursue his plans: “Yes, I will pursue the bid probably in 2016 based on our plans.”

“I have no regrets. Ang public service ay isa ng vocation at kung anuman ang naitanim na natin ay para sa taong bayan iyun. Tuloy pa rin tayo sa pag-abot sa ating mga cabalen,” concluded Yabut.