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Thursday, September 11, 2003
No loyalty check on mayors: Tupas
By Ruby P. Silubrico
ILOILO Gov. Neil D. Tupas Sr. Wednesday said he will not conduct a loyalty check among the mayors identified with him following 1st District Rep. Oscar Garin's formal declaration of his gubernatorial bid for next year's elections.
"The mayors have the right and freedom to choose who they want to support," he said.
Several mayors and vice mayors from Tupas' stronghold, the 5th district (northern Iloilo), joined Garin in Guimbal Tuesday night when the congressman formally announced his political tandem with Vice Gov. Roberto Armada.
Both Garin and Armada belong to the ruling Lakas-CMD.
Tupas, who hails from Barotac Viejo, denied reports that he called up the mayors of northern Iloilo to appeal to them not to attend the Guimbal affair.
"It's not true. I never asked them not to attend. We are in a democratic country so they have a choice," he said.
But Tupas revealed that several mayors actually phoned him to inform him about their plans to attend Garin's gathering. "I told them to go because they are invited," he said.
Officials from the north who came to Guimbal were Concepcion Mayor Raul Banias, Carles Mayor Felipe Bernal and Arnold Betita Barotac Viejo Vice Mayor Ulysses Valdez, Batad Vice Mayor Susan Bedro and two former mayors of San Dionisio.
SK Federation President Jeneda Salcedo came in behalf of her father, Sara Mayor Neptali Salcedo.
Tupas said he will formally declare his reelection bid and announce his line-up before Nov. 15.
"You will know who will be my runningmate during a simple gathering," he said.
He said he is choosing among six probables to be his vice gubernatorial candidate.
Moreover, the governor brushed aside the challenge of 2nd District Rep. Augusto Syjuco that they face each other in a public debate.
"Wala man kami debatehan dira (We have nothing to debate about)," Tupas said.
The congressman earlier dared the governor to face him to settle once and for all the issues between them.
(September 11, 2003 issue)
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