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Tuesday, December 09, 2003
BMs Lapid, Guiao lead prov'l Lakas-CMD slate
By Minerva Zamora-Arceo
PAMPANGA Provincial Board (PB) Members Mark Lapid and Joseller Guiao will lead the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) candidates in the province in the 2004 elections following their official proclamation Monday at the Max's Restaurant here.
Gov. Lito Lapid, Lakas-CMD provincial chair, and Vice Gov. Juan Miguel
"Mikey" Arroyo led the Lakas proclamation rally here Monday while at least 200 members joined the affair.
Lapid, being the highest-ranking Lakas officer in Pampanga, officially endorsed Mark, his eldest son, as the party's standard-bearer and gubernatorial bet. Guiao, son of former Gov. Bren Guaio and coach of the Batang Red Bull PBA team, was declared as Mark's running mate for vice governor.
Lakas-CMD's official candidates for congressman are Vice Gov. Arroyo for the 2nd district, Dr. Eric Domingo for 3rd district and DOTC Assistant Sec. Rene Maglanque for the 4th district.
Mayor Carmelo Lazatin was, however, named official candidate either for mayor of Angeles City or 1st district congressman. His position stands to change depending on Gov. Lito Lapid's political plan. The governor said they could either change positions as mayor of Angeles or congressman for the 1st district. Lapid said he will announce his final decision on Dec. 18.
Meanwhile, the official candidates of Lakas for mayor are Mayor Marino Morales, Mabalacat; Mayor Pastor Guiao, Magalang; Mayor Exequiel Gamboa, Porac; Mayor Joeray Montemayor, Floridablanca; Vice Mayor Emil Capati, Guagua; Mayor Catalina Bagasina, Sasmuan; Mayor Art Salalila, Sta. Rita; Mayor Ernesto Punzalan, Mexico; Mayor Francisco Gaddi, Sta. Ana; Gloria Ronquillo, Sto. Tomas; Mayor Rodrigo Canlas, San Simon; Pablo Viray Jr., San Luis; Mayor Tirso Lacanilao, Apalit; Vice Mayor Pete Yabut, Macabebe; Mayor Corazon Lacap, Masantol; Vice Mayor Arturo Naguit, Minalin; and Mayor Normita "Babes" Evangelista, Candaba.
Rep. Oscar Rodriguez was declared as Lakas official candidate for mayor in the City of San Fernando. He is set to face another Lakas member, Immigration Commissioner Andrea "Didi" Domingo, in the mayoral race.
Lapid said Domingo agreed to run as an independent Lakas candidate since Rodriguez was declared as the official candidate.
No official candidates were declared for the towns of Lubao, Arayat, and Bacolor.
Incumbent mayors Dennis Pineda of Lubao, an independent candidate, and Romeo "Buddy" Dungca of Bacolor, a Buklod-Kapampangan local party member, are known to be close associates of Vice Gov. Arroyo. They are said to be seeking another term. In Arayat, ABC president Chito Espino is reportedly vying for the mayorship. Espino, though an NPC member, is reportedly a strong supporter of Mark Lapid.
In an interview, Mark said he believes that they have a strong line-up considering that most of their candidates are incumbent officials.
Aside from this, Mark said President Arroyo's leadership would boost the provincial slate added to the so-called "Lito Lapid magic."
Mark is set to face Rep. Juan Pablo Bondoc and Rep. Zeny Ducut in the 2004 gubernatorial election while Guiao will challenge former vice governor Clayton Olalia.
(December 9, 2003 issue)
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