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Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Lapid still undecided on senatorial race
By Dante M. Fabian
ANGELES -- Holding his followers in excitement, Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid has yet to announce whether he will run for mayor of this city or senator under the ruling Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) in the elections in May 2004.
Political leaders who attended Lapid's much-awaited meeting with Mayor Carmelo Lazatin in the mayor's house in Baliti, City of San Fernando, said Lapid has deferred his decision until December 18, two days after the deadline for the filing of candidacy of aspirants for national elective positions.
Councilor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, one of the councilors belonging to the Lazatin administration bloc, said, as of last Tuesday's meeting, Lapid has not decided yet on what position to run for.
She added that Lapid told the group he will definitely announce his decision on December 18 during their party's proclamation rally for its official candidates in Central Luzon in the City of San Fernando.
Citing surveys of the Lakas party, Lapid's supporters declared he has consistently been in the top five of the list of senators most favored in the coming elections.
Meanwhile, Councilor Alex Cauguiran belied reports that Lapid has decided to run for congressman.
"No. That is absolutely false," Cauguiran said. "No. I don't think so. I have never heard anything about that from him," he added, when asked if running for a congressional seat is among Lapid's options.
Vice Mayor Ricardo Zalamea said this was not among the announcements made by Lapid in the meeting held last Tuesday.
Zalamea also belied reports of Lapid's congressional bid gathered from sources at city hall yesterday afternoon.
A source said Lapid and Lazatin's team-up is a formidable combination guaranteed to deal a double whammy against the Nepomuceno brothers.
Lapid is presently serving his third 3-year term as provincial governor of Pampanga while Lazatin is on his second term as city mayor of Angeles City.
(December 6, 2003 issue)
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