Saturday, March 10, 2007 Gementiza jumps over to opposition NPC-UNO By Ben O. Tesiorna Reporter
THE political scene in Davao del Norte is taking shape, just weeks before the candidates will be announced with the decision of Davao del Norte Governor Gelacio Gementiza to jump over to the opposition fence.
Gementiza took his oath recently as a member of the National People's Coalition-UNO party.
The move, NPC president emeritus Ernesto Maceda said during Friday's oath-taking of former Lakas-CMD members as new NPC-UNO men, is a big loss to the administration party and a big plus to the opposition.
Maceda likened Gementiza to former president Joseph Estrada who is said to be the "leader of his people in Davao del Norte."
"Kaya di ko maintindihan bakit siya binitawan ng administrasyon. I'm telling you now, the defection of Gov. Gementiza from Lakas to NPC-UNO is a turning point to our campaign," Maceda said. (I can't understand why the administration let him you.)
The governor thanked the opposition for accepting him as their member and chair for NPC Davao del Norte and as the official opposition candidate in the gubernatorial race.
Gementiza also dismissed the statement of former Transportation and Communication Secretary Pantaleon "Bebot" Alvarez that it will be "suicide" for him to run against third-termer Rep. Tonyboy Floirendo, who is rumored to be running for governor as well.
The governor said he is not afraid in running against Floirendo or incumbent Vice Governor Anthony del Rosario or whoever the administration party fields against him.
"Ngano man daw ko mahadlok? Dili man kwarta ang magpadaug sa kandidato, tao man (Why should I be afraid? It's not money that makes candidates win, it's the people)," Gementiza said.
