Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Junie group to field ‘strong’ political slate
THE group of former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. will have a “strong provincial slate” for the coming elections.
“We’ll have a very strong ticket for the Province. Kung kinsa, it’s going to be a surprise. You cannot discount the personality of Lito Osmeña, Dr. (Antonio) Yapha and Sonny osmeña and we will have a very strong vice gubernatorial candidate,” Martinez said in an interview with reporters yesterday.
In previous interviews, Yapha, who is now in his last term as third congressional district representative, said he will run for mayor of Pinamungajan town. But Martinez said there might be changes, as he and Yapha are still discussing their political moves.
Nothing definite
As to his political plans, Martinez, who lost in his gubernatorial bid in 2004, said he has not decided whether he will run for any position.
“There’s nothing definite yet,” he said, but added that his son, Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, will surely run for Congress.
Martinez also recommended that instead of sending military and policemen to areas considered as hotspots or areas of concern, civic and religious groups and media must be the one deployed to the places.
In his district, Daanbantayan and Madri-dejos are identified as possible areas of concern in the coming elections.
Tension
Martinez said sending military or police to these areas will just “worsen the situation and create tension.”
He cited the incident in Madridejos in the last election where the town’s chief of police was killed by a military man.
The military and police may conduct roving patrols during the campaign period but they must be pulled out a week before the elections, Martinez said.
Then, he said, the civic and religious groups can come in.
Civic groups
Martinez also suggested that the civic and religious groups must concentrate on the areas considered hotspots because they do not have enough manpower and resources for the whole town.
He said he is willing to shell out an amount for the civic and religious groups during their stay in the towns in the fourth district.
In the second district, former governor Pablo Garcia in a radio interview revealed that Argao Mayor Wilfredo Caminero is being endorsed by most mayors to run for the Provincial Board.
Garcia also revealed that the tandem of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. is seriously considered although everything will still be finalized.
The older Garcia had announced his intention to run for Congress to represent the second district. (MBG)
