‘Northern alliance’ for Teodoro (12:48 p.m.)

SAN FERNANDO, La Union -- A group of Ilokano lawmakers and local officials have formed an alliance to ensure the winning of Lakas-Kampi-CMD presidential candidate Gilberto Teodoro in Northern Luzon.

La Union First District Representative Victor Ortega said a union, which they called “Northern Alliance,” could seal the victory of Teodoro in Northern Region that include Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“We have an Association of the Northern Luzon Alliance, in Congress, congressmen who come from the North. We always hold a meeting,” Ortega said.

He said aside from official members of their alliance, they are also expecting for the support of other officials outside their alliance who are rooting for Teodoro.

Ortega added that the support of the north to the administration candidate could spell a big difference in Teodoro’s candidacy.

As of March 2009, records from Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed that Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and CAR have a total of over five million registered voters.

“Gibo will win here,” Ortega said, adding that majority of the towns in this province root for Teodoro.

He said among the 19 towns and one city in La Union province, only three towns have not yet pledged their support to the Harvard-trained lawyer.

But he said they are still trying to win them as well as other provinces in Northern Luzon which have not yet decided who to vote. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)