Monday, February 05, 2007
2 more Pampanga local leaders bolt guv camp
By Marna H. Dagumboy
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Two other Pampanga officials have left the Governor Mark Lapid-led Lakas party and officially joined the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Pampanga Third District Board Member Aurelio Gonzales and Arayat Mayor Chito Espino, in jumping ship, said they believe that Board Member Lilia "Baby" Pineda is "the province's hope to deliver good governance and progress."
Gonzales, who is eyeing the third congressional seat, said his decision to join majority of the Pampanga leaders is primarily "to erase doubts pertaining to his loyalty to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo."
"Kampi -- where I am now -- is the President's political party," he said.
Gonzales added that his defection from the Lapid camp is to show to the people his unity with majority of the mayors who are "hungry and crying for progress," which they alleged the Lapids failed to deliver to the constituency for the past 12 years.
He said: "With the Pineda governorship, Pampanga could easily attain progress and development specifically in the delivery of health services."
The aspiring congressman also believed that his partnership with the Pineda-Vice Governor Yeng Guiao tandem would enable him to achieve his vision for the third district towns.
Arayat Mayor Chito Espino, for his part, said Lapid's failure to govern the province well could be blamed on the people around him.
Espino, who is known as a long-time ally of the governor, said he will never regret his decision to join his colleagues in the mayor's league, adding that with Pineda's leadership, "the province will be in good hands."
Pineda thanked Gonzales and Espino for joining them in their crusade to achieve progress and unity.
Gonzales and Espino were welcomed into Kampi by Pampanga Mayor's League (PML) vice president and Bacolor Mayor Romeo Dungca.
Majority of mayors are now with Kampi. Only Mayors Marino Morales of Mabalacat, Peter Flores of Masantol, Edgar Flores of Minalin, and Bobong Flores of Macabebe remain within the Lapid camp. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila. (February 5, 2007 issue)
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