ANGELES CITY -- Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president Alex Cauguiran, a mayoralty aspirant of Angeles City is now the standard-bearer of Kambilan, the governor's political party.

This was disclosed by Romeo Dungca, Kambilan secretary general, during the party's oath-taking ceremonies held in Barangay Pulung Maragul on Friday.

Cauguiran's nomination was affirmed by around 700 officers and members of the Partido Abe Kapampangan who attended what political observers called "the merger of two giants."

"City hall shut the door but the Provincial Capitol opened it wide for me," the 61-year-old Cauguiran said.

Cauguiran added he is grateful for Kambilan's nomination as this disproves the “sure to lose” remark labelled against him by opponents.

Cauguiran is credited for the increased flights and passenger volume at the Clark airport.

"Thank you, Governor Nanay (Pineda) for seeing our strong managerial leadership, sincerity and ability to mobilize tens of thousands of supporters to realize our advocacies," Cauguiran, founder of Partido Abe Kapampangan, said.

He added that his main political machinery will now be called “Kambilan da reng Abe.”

Cauguiram also announced his candidate for vice-mayor as three-term former councilor Maricel Morales who will be included in the party's slate being formed for the May 2019 local election.

Pampanga Board Member Rosve Henson, also an official of Kambilan, said all card-bearing party members will also benefit from the provincial government's social welfare programs especially on health care.

Cauguiran, former chief of staff of incumbent Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, asked his supporters not to engage in dirty politics and sought their help in "raising the level of political discourse."

Pamintuan reportedly supports Vice-Mayor Bryan Nepomuceno in the mayoralty race.

Cauguiran recently admitted a fall out with Pamintuan, who is his long time political Ally and close friend.

"Yet we will also support Pamintuan, in spite of everything, as partylist candidate in the same elections," Cauguiran added.