Thursday, March 01, 2007 Benhur gets Kampi backing despite question
KAMPI officials signed yesterday their endorsement of Benhur Salimbangon’s candidacy for Congress, a day after the Medellin Election Office issued a certification that his status as voter was deactivated for his failure to vote in two successive elections.
Salimbangon, a former member of the Cebu Provincial Board, took oath yesterday as a member of President Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), along with other One Cebu members and officials.
But a few hours after the activity held at a restaurant in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Salimbangon’s opponents in Cebu Province’s fourth district revealed a certification signed by Medellin Election Officer Ferdinand Hortellano.
Issued Feb. 27, the certification says that Commission on Elections records show Salimbangon’s registration as a voter was deactivated because he allegedly failed to vote in 2001 and 2004.
Salimbangon said, laughing: “Wa pa gani ko mo-file of certificate of candidacy ila nako i-disqualify? (I have yet to file my certificate of candidacy, and already they’ve disqualified me?) Kadalian ba pud nila. Just let them wait until I file uy.”
“I am not stupid enough to launch my candidacy unya wa diay ma rehistro. Kahibaw kos balaod. (I know the law.) I am a registered voter,” he said.
Also yesterday, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo reportedly “scolded” Bert Emphasis for his pronouncements that Lakas candidates include former congressman Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. as their gubernatorial bet.
This was according to several officials who heard the call from across the table and near Arroyo, including Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz.
Ruiz said she witnessed when Arroyo talked of “discipline” and pointed out the “equity of the incumbent” rule practiced by alliances, including that of Kampi and Lakas.
Mandaue
If that rule is followed, Ruiz said, Lakas cannot put up its own candidates in Cebu, so Lakas cannot field Provincial Board (PB) Member Luigi Quisumbing against her.
But she said she is ready to face Quisumbing.
“We can’t choose our opponents. Paminawon ta. They asked me to run for mayor but I declined because my father was against it, and I am more needed in Congress,” she said.
Asked whether she will support Mandaue City mayoral candidate Jonkie Ouano, now that the Ouanos have joined Kampi, the congresswoman said: “Mao gyud nay mahitabo. (That’s what’s going to happen.)”
As for Emphasis’ pronouncements, Ruiz added: “Iyaha rana. Paukyab ba (Maybe he just wants to stir things up).” She added she was a witness to Arroyo’s call to emphasis.
Emphasis, as Lakas party spokesman, has announced that Martinez will again run against Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in the May 14 elections, after he was appointed as the provincial chairman of the party.
Districts
Martinez, however, refused to confirm this and also said he still has to go to Manila to confirm his appointment as Lakas provincial chairman. Martinez lost to Garcia in 2004.
In a dyLA interview, Emphasis said that on a scale of one to 10, he would rate the chances that Martinez will again run against Garcia as 11.
But this time, Emphasis said Martinez has better chances because they now have the support of Senate aspirant John “Sonny” Osmeña.
He added that Osmeña’s son John Gregory, who also lost to Garcia in 2004, will run against Rep. Eduardo Gullas of the first district.
For the second district, they will field PB Member Carmiano Kintanar against former governor Pablo Garcia. They will field PB Member Estrella Yapha to contest Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia in the third district.
In the fourth district, Martinez’s son, Celestino III, will be running for Congress against Salimbangon.
The Duranos’ choice in the fifth district might be a common candidate for both the Garcia and Martinez camps.
Emphasis did not name their vice gubernatorial candidate yet, saying they have two persons being considered, both from the southern part of the province. (JPM/With MBG)
