Saturday, January 13, 2007 Flores doubts Garin's pronouncements By Lory Ann B. Bilbao
MIAG-AO Mayor Gerardo Flores was skeptical over Philippine Coconut Authority chairman and former Congressman Oscar Garin's proclamation of support to Governor Niel D. Tupas Sr.
Flores, a close ally of Tupas, said Garin is a member of the ruling party, Lakas-CMD and was a rival of the governor during the 2004 gubernatorial contest. These reasons qualify the idea that Garin's support may not be true as how it appears to be.
Garin earlier surprised everyone when he expressed his support to Tupas's candidacy earlier this week. Garin assured he would ask his partymates and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo not to field a gubernatorial candidate against Tupas, whom he said has helped many villages in the province and is certainly a strong contender for his second term.
Garin lost to Tupas during the 2004 polls. The latter has won a landslide victory in the 4th and 5th district. His votes also fought hard against the former in Garin's 1st District.
Reports showed that his son, Guimbal Mayor Richard Garin is willing to be Tupas' Vice Governor. But, there was no confirmation whether or not the elder Garin wants something in return.
Tupas, though has earlier presented before the media, his bet for the vice governor post, Board Member Domingo Oso Jr.
