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Thursday, January 18, 2007
Vice guv sets condition for reuniting with Lapids
By Joel P. Mapiles
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Vice Governor Yeng Guiao said he and 14 Pampanga mayors would only reunite with the Lapids if they would bring back the province's P500 million losses in quarry operations.
Guiao and 14 Pampanga mayors talked with Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, and Undersecretary Rey Roquero in Malacañang Tuesday to allegedly patch up differences with the camp of Governor Mark Lapid.
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The Pampanga mayors who attended the Palace meeting were Buddy Dungca, Dennis Pineda, Rodrigo Canlas, Catalina Bagasina, Darwin Manalansan, Teddy Tumang, Doy Gaddi, Lucas Arceo, Jerry Pelayo, Art Salalila, Ric Rivera, Pastor Guiao, and Exequiel Gamboa.
The Palace-initiated "unity talk", however, reportedly bogged down as the mayors insisted that what they are doing now is "saving Pampanga from the hands of the Lapids, who reigned over the province for more than 12 years."
They told Malacañang officials that they bolted the camp of the Lapids due to alleged "mismanagement" and "poor leadership" of the governor in the province.
They also told Malacañang that Lapid failed to consult them on many issues affecting the province. They gave Claudio copies of graft complaints to be presented to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The mayors said: "The issues now are not about politics but the real development of Pampanga. This step is a wakeup call for Kapampangans."
It was learned that the mayors requested Malacañang to declare Pampanga a "free zone" in the May elections. They said that the loyalty of whoever wins in the elections would remain with President Arroyo.
Majority of the Pampanga mayors are pushing for the candidacy of Provincial Board Member Lilia Pineda to face Lapid for the gubernatorial race. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Dumaguete. (January 18, 2007 issue)
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