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Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Guv unfazed by mayors' defection
By Avelyn Z. Agudon
GOVERNOR Joseph Marañon is unfazed by majority of mayors in the different cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, joining the bandwagon of President Arroyo.
Marañon has shifted support to Arroyo's chief rival in the May 10 synchronized local and national polls--action king Fernando Poe Jr. of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino.
The governor said even if Arroyo has the majority of the mayors, he still hoped that Negrosanons will still decide wisely on whom to vote for President.
As of last week, 17 out of 32 mayors in the province, including Bacolod, either signed a manifesto or expressed support to Arroyo.
Another mayor was expected to join the pro-Arroyo clique Monday but did not come out into the open.
This means 18 mayors will now be supporting Arroyo while 14 will be for FPJ.
The governor, however, cited that when actress Susan Roces, wife of FPJ, was campaigning in Negros Occidental she gathered thousands of supporters.
He also said that even if they do not have a majority of the mayors, a candidate could still be able to make it, citing the case of Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson of the third district during the 2001 elections.
Lacson won against former Rep. Edith Villanueva even if he did not have majority of the mayors' support.
Marañon also brushed aside surveys, specifically in Western Visayas, showing that despite FPJ's campaign sorties early this month, Arroyo was still leading.
"It depends on who pays for it; not that I questioned its credibility because what you see on the ground is different," he said.
He also shrugged off Senate President Franklin Drilon's claim that Arroyo will have a big lead in Western Visayas.
"I do not believe in him because we know how partisan he is," he said.
Arroyo earlier said she is confident of winning in the election with her "bandwagon of supporters" in Negros Occidental.
(April 27, 2004 issue)
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