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Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Lakas fortifies crippled forces
By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
* Aside from being Lakas provincial chairman, Novero also appointed deputy campaign manager of administration K-4 party
AFTER the perceived Lakas leadership vacuum in Negros Occidental that stemmed from the defection of Gov. Joseph Marañon and the Nationalist People's Coalition, came the administration party's counter move-changing of the guards in the local leadership of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.
It's not too late, believed Lawyer Reynaldo Novero, the newly appointed provincial chairman of Lakas-CMD of President Arroyo's quest to ensure victory in the province on the forthcoming May 10 elections.
Although he is still waiting for an official appointment from Malacañang, Novero said he was thankful for the President's trust in him to pick up what was left of Lakas' crippled forces in Negros.
Novero replaced Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco, Lakas provincial chairman, who, along with Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson of the third district, Lakas's provincial vice chairman, tendered their resignation from the administration party and instead joined Marañon's bloc who shifted support to action king and presidentiable Fernando Poe, Jr.
Aside from being the Lakas provincial chairman, Novero was also appointed as deputy campaign manager of the administration K-4 party, along with campaign manager, former Gov. Rafael Coscolluela.
Novero told Sun.Star that to be a provincial chairman and at the same time deputy campaign manager is really a "tough job."
He, however, said that considering the winnability factor of Arroyo, he said this job would be a "beautiful" one.
Novero, a former board member at the sixth district, said that for now he is conducting a series of meetings with people who wanted to help the President win in the May 10 polls.
"Actually, we are not only concentrating on the people inside the party but also those outside (the party,)" he added.
Novero also believed that with so many Lakas members in Negros, both old and new and incumbents and former officials, Lakas will soon be revived in the province.
"We will make them (Lakas members) active again," vowed Novero.
He admitted that some of the Lakas members, mostly the former mayors, board members, vice mayors, councilors and even the incumbents may not have been given proper attention by the former Lakas Negros organization.
But he said that if given proper appreciation of the present situation, Novero said he is sure that those who will defect will still support the President.
"For now, my priority is to go to the lowest level of Lakas organization in Negros where the originals are, they still have hearts for Lakas and for the President," said Novero.
On the other hand, as of press time Monday night, Coscolluela said he hasn't received any official appointment from Malacañang as to his designation as the campaign manager of K-4.
However, he said he already accepted the job.
Coscolluela also said that he hasn't received any document as to the description of the scope of his functions.
He said though that generally, he was tasked to head the campaign of K-4 group in Negros.
Earlier, Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella said that Lakas will surely neutralize the Marañon forces in Negros Occidental.
Presidential brother-in-law Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo Jr. also vowed that Lakas will put up a good fight.
Arroyo, Jr., however, said that until now, they are still encouraging Zayco and Lacson to reconsider their decision of leaving Lakas.
In a radio interview, on the other hand, Bishop Vicente Navarra advised all local leaders in Negros to uphold a high level of campaign and should help ensure peaceful and orderly elections in the province.
Despite the present political squabbles among the Negros leaders, Navarra still expects a clean election on May 10.
(April 6, 2004 issue)
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