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Friday, September 12, 2003
Oca-Obet tandem for 2004 elections
By Ruby P. Silubrico
GUIMBAL -- 1st District Rep. Oscar Garin basked in the support of his allies from all districts of Iloilo Tuesday night as he formally launched his bid to challenge Gov. Neil Tupas Sr. in next year's elections.
"I am definitely running for governor. People of the province of Iloilo, I entrust my fate to you," Garin declared before the audience inside the jampacked hall of the family-owned Racsos Woodland here.
The congressman said his runningmate will be Vice Gov. Roberto Armada, who also joined Garin in Wednesday night's gathering which coincided with the municipality's annual fiesta.
Armada, provincial secretary-general of Lakas-CMD, was one of those who backed Garin's entry in the ruling party last month.
Describing himself as a person who is "not so honest but fair to his fellowmen," Garin said he would run the Capitol in a "practical" manner.
"I am 100 percent decided to run. Win or lose, with or without your support. As long as I have Boboy, Ferj and Congressman Defensor with me, I'll be okay," he said.
"Boboy" is 2nd District Rep. Augusto Syjuco while Ferj is Dr. Ferjenel Biron, who has also declared his congressional in the 4th District. 3rd District Rep. Arthur Defensor is Lakas-CMD provincial chairman.
"Wala na akong hahanapin pa. There's no doubt at all, with this people (supporting) me and those in the 1st District,Oca Garin will become the governor of province of Iloilo," he said.
The solon also revealed that businessman Jaime Torres, Lakas-CMD chairman for 1st District, has vowed to shell out a P250 million for his election expenses while Biron, a self-made man who owns a multi-million drug company, P200 million.
As he had earlier announced, the solon indeed hosted quite a number of special guests.
Those who came from Manila were Presidential Adviser Antonio Gatuslao, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos, Cibac Rep. Joel Villanueva and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman Felicito Payumo.
As evidenced by the presence of several officials from the Tupas' stronghold 5th District (northern Iloilo), Garin could definitely give the governor a run for his money.
Officials from the north, led by Concepcion Mayor Raul Banias, include 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.
All mayors from the 2nd District, composed of Alimodian, Leganes, Leon, New Lucena, Pavia, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel and Zarraga, came in full force.
From the 3rd District, those who came were the mayors of Bingawan, Calinog, Maasin and Janiuay while those from the 1st District were Tubungan Mayor Victor Tabaquirao and Oton Mayor Carina Flores. Guimbal Mayor Richard Garin is the congressman's son.
(September 11, 2003 issue)
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